Escalation of violence.

The New York Times reports a “coordinated assault on an American combat outpost north of Baghdad.” Suicide bombers drove three cars laden with explosives into a U.S. base, killing two American soldiers and wounding at least 17 more.

The brazen attack, which was followed by fierce gun battles and a daring evacuation of the wounded by at least four American helicopters, came on a day of deadly violence across the country, including shootings suicide bombings, mortar attacks and roadside explosions. Civilians, Americans and the Iraqi security forces all were targets.