When exactly did these things last exist there?

I believe the horse left that barn through the door and promptly entered the glue factory quite some time ago.

The leaders, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite, and Sunni Usama al-Nujaifi, the last speaker of parliament which dissolved this month, stood apart and listened as Maliki's predecessor Ibrahim al-Jafaari called for "defending the state and protecting its sovereignty and dignity."

I.e. "Bring on the drones!" That will dignify this sucker right up!

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]