Since then . . . Since then . . .

A Timeline of the Current War’s A Timeline of the Current War’s Beginning and BeyondBeginning and Beyond

The Months Before – The Months Before – Weapons InspectionsWeapons Inspections

2002-20032002-2003 U.N. Resolution – Calls for U.N. Resolution – Calls for

disarmament and disarmament and cooperation with cooperation with inspectorsinspectors

Weapons inspectors Weapons inspectors returnreturn

2003 March - Chief weapons 2003 March - Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports inspector Hans Blix reports that Iraq has accelerated its that Iraq has accelerated its cooperation but says cooperation but says inspectors need more time to inspectors need more time to verify Iraq's compliance. verify Iraq's compliance.

The Days Before and The Days Before and After: War!After: War!

2003 17 March - Bush gives 2003 17 March - Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war.face war.

2003 20 March - American 2003 20 March - American missiles hit targets in missiles hit targets in BaghdadBaghdad

2003 9 April - US forces 2003 9 April - US forces advance into central advance into central Baghdad. Baghdad.

2003 May – Bush announces 2003 May – Bush announces major combat operations major combat operations have ended – “Mission have ended – “Mission Accomplished”Accomplished”

The Insurgency The Insurgency Begins . . .Begins . . .

Sovereignty and Sovereignty and ElectionsElections

2004 June - US hands 2004 June - US hands sovereignty to interim sovereignty to interim government government

2005 30 January - An 2005 30 January - An estimated eight million people estimated eight million people vote in elections for a vote in elections for a Transitional National Transitional National Assembly. Assembly. Shia victoriousShia victorious

2005 August - Draft 2005 August - Draft constitution is endorsed by constitution is endorsed by Shia and Kurdish negotiators, Shia and Kurdish negotiators, but not by Sunni but not by Sunni representatives.representatives.

Sectarian Violence and Sectarian Violence and the Way Forward . . .the Way Forward . . . 2006 May and June - An 2006 May and June - An

average of more than 100 average of more than 100 civilians per day are killed civilians per day are killed in violence in Iraq, the UN in violence in Iraq, the UN says.says.

2007 January - US 2007 January - US President Bush President Bush announces a new Iraq announces a new Iraq strategy; thousands strategy; thousands (about 20K) more US (about 20K) more US troops will be dispatched troops will be dispatched to shore up security in to shore up security in Baghdad. The Surge.Baghdad. The Surge.

Obama’s Withdrawal PlanObama’s Withdrawal Plan

Combat mission ends in August 2010Combat mission ends in August 2010 Leaves 50,000 troops there to train local Leaves 50,000 troops there to train local

security forces.security forces. They stay until 2011.They stay until 2011. Afghanistan? That’s another story….Afghanistan? That’s another story….