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

2. The Months Before – Weapons Inspections 2002-2003 2002-2003 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. 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.

3. The Days Before and After: War! 2003 17 March - Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war. 2003 17 March - Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war. 2003 20 March - American missiles hit targets in Baghdad 2003 20 March - American missiles hit targets in Baghdad 2003 9 April - US forces advance into central Baghdad. 2003 9 April - US forces advance into central Baghdad. 2003 May – Bush announces major combat operations have ended – Mission Accomplished 2003 May – Bush announces major combat operations have ended – Mission Accomplished

4. The Insurgency Begins...

5. Sovereignty and Elections 2004 June - US hands sovereignty to interim government 2004 June - US hands sovereignty to interim government 2005 30 January - An estimated eight million people vote in elections for a Transitional National Assembly. 2005 30 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. 2005 August - Draft constitution is endorsed by Shia and Kurdish negotiators, but not by Sunni representatives.

6. Sectarian Violence and the Way Forward... 2006 May and June - An average of more than 100 civilians per day are killed in violence in Iraq, the UN says. 2006 May and June - An average of more than 100 civilians per day are killed in violence in Iraq, the UN says. 2007 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. 2007 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.

7. 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 2011. They stay until 2011. Afghanistan? Thats another story…. Afghanistan? Thats another story….