The Nisour Square shootings, where at least 17 civilians were killed last year by guards working for the private security firm, helped turn immunity for security contractors into a major issue during recent negotiations with the United States over a security pact.

Since the terrorist attacks, there has been an outpouring of anger from India's urbanized elite classes.

• Indian police arrest 2 in Mumbai investigation
• Indian foreign minister denies "threatening call" to Pakistani leader

Lured by profits during the U.S. housing boom, credit-rating agencies overlooked the risk of mortgage debt, critics say.

In a measure of how precarious the war effort has become, U.S. or coalition forces have been deployed in large numbers on the southern flank of the city.

• Bush aides preparing Afghanistian strategy review for Obama

The president-elect outlines plans for spending record amounts of money on U.S. infrastructure, with an eye toward technology, energy efficiency and cleaning up the environment.