The boy knows who will not kill him and who will save him.
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Look at the soldier standing upright and alert while everyone else runs. Adding to the chaos of the bombing which killed at least 21 people and injured at least 66 was a shooter, maybe targeting people in the crowd. Amid all the Iraqis who are running from the gunfire was a U.S. soldier, standing tall and looking in the direction of the gunshots, not looking for cover.
The first picture shows it all. The kid's face shows he is scared to death, and he's running to the safest spot he can find: this soldier who stands between him and danger. It would be difficult to stage a picture that provides a more potent metaphor for the role played by United States in this wretched world.
That kid just did a virtual essay on "WHAT AMERICA MEANS TO ME". We sure didn't see this on CNN, NBC, ABC, or CBS...now did you?