U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, hold a joint news conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. Biden said Wednesday that his trip to Baghdad ahead of the U.S. military pullout will mark a new beginning between Iraq and the United States, but already protests in Iraq against his visit are demonstrating the difficulties the relationship will face. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)