The Iraq latest war began on March 21, 2003, when American and British troops invaded Iraq and toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in April that year. What was supposed to be a "cakewalk," in the words of Bush administration officials, has turned into the second-longest war involving American soldiers ( after Vietnam) and the second-costliest in American history (after World War II). Five years on, the war and American-led occupation of Iraq continues with no end in sight. Here's a guide on the origins of the war.
1. Iraq War: Basic Questions, Complete Answers
Understanding the Iraq war can be a vexing task. But if it's a puzzle of many parts, it can be put together to form a coherent picture, starting with answers to the most common questions about the conflict:
The war that began in 2003 is actually the latest chapter in a long conflict pitting Iraq against its neighbors (and the West) dating back to Saddam Hussein's rise to power as Iraq's strongman in 1973. The history of his reign is a history of wars and repression. It's also part of the context that explains Iraq's current conflict.
Between acronyms, Arabic terms and military short-hand, understanding the language of the Iraq war can be a challenge. Here's a glossary of some of the most frequently used terms:
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