Since then... A Timeline of the Current Wars Beginning and Beyond

The Months Before – Weapons Inspections U.N. Resolution – Calls for disarmament and cooperation with inspectors U.N. Resolution – Calls for disarmament and cooperation with inspectors Weapons inspectors return Weapons inspectors return 2003 March - Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports that Iraq has accelerated its cooperation but says inspectors need more time to verify Iraq's compliance March - Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports that Iraq has accelerated its cooperation but says inspectors need more time to verify Iraq's compliance.

The Days Before and After: War! March - Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war March - Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war March - American missiles hit targets in Baghdad March - American missiles hit targets in Baghdad April - US forces advance into central Baghdad April - US forces advance into central Baghdad May – Bush announces major combat operations have ended – Mission Accomplished 2003 May – Bush announces major combat operations have ended – Mission Accomplished

The Insurgency Begins...

Sovereignty and Elections 2004 June - US hands sovereignty to interim government 2004 June - US hands sovereignty to interim government January - An estimated eight million people vote in elections for a Transitional National Assembly January - An estimated eight million people vote in elections for a Transitional National Assembly. Shia victorious Shia victorious 2005 August - Draft constitution is endorsed by Shia and Kurdish negotiators, but not by Sunni representatives August - Draft constitution is endorsed by Shia and Kurdish negotiators, but not by Sunni representatives.

Sectarian Violence and the Way Forward May and June - An average of more than 100 civilians per day are killed in violence in Iraq, the UN says May and June - An average of more than 100 civilians per day are killed in violence in Iraq, the UN says January - US President Bush announces a new Iraq strategy; thousands (about 20K) more US troops will be dispatched to shore up security in Baghdad. The Surge January - US President Bush announces a new Iraq strategy; thousands (about 20K) more US troops will be dispatched to shore up security in Baghdad. The Surge.

Obamas Withdrawal Plan Combat mission ends in August 2010 Combat mission ends in August 2010 Leaves 50,000 troops there to train local security forces. Leaves 50,000 troops there to train local security forces. They stay until They stay until Afghanistan? Thats another story…. Afghanistan? Thats another story….