Iraq War Battles

General David H. Petraeus met with members of congress today to discuss progress in Iraq. The decorated army general was resistant to persistent questioning by Senate Democrats regarding troop withdrawals. Gen. Petraeus came armed with a barrage of charts and statistics defending his position that progress is being made in Iraq. He stressed that the progress was "fragile and reversible." He stood by his recommendation that troop levels remain as they have been since the surge was implemented.

A History:
March 19, 2003- President George W. Bush launches invasion of Iraq
April 9, 2003- Statue of dictator Saddam Huissein is toppled


Image courtesy of Think-Progress.org


May 1, 2003- Pres. Bush announces "Mission Accomplished"
December 14, 2003- U.S. captures Saddam- "Ladies and gentlemen: We got him!"
April 19, 2004- Bob Woodward says that CIA Director George Tenet said he had a "slam-dunk case" against Iraq. The phrase makes headlines across the country.
June 28, 2004- U.S. transfers sovereignty to Iraq
Nov. 2, 2004- Pres. George W. Bush wins re-election
Nov. 2004- Deadliest month in Iraq- 137 troops died
Jan 12, 2005- Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) search ends. No WMD's were ever found.
Sept. 30, 2005- Army misses recruiting goals by widest margin since 1979. Troops stretched thin across Iraq.
Oct. 25, 2005- American casualties reach 2,000 according to MSNBC
Nov. 18, 2005- Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) voices demands for troop withdrawal from Iraq
Nov. 30, 2005- White House releases plan for victory in Iraq
Dec. 15, 2005- Iraqis vote in members of Iraqi Assembly
Dec. 18, 2005- Pres. Bush admits that much of the intelligence received turned out to be wrong
March 21, 2006- Pres. Bush announces that troops will remain stationed in Iraw until at least 2009
May 25, 2006- Iraqi Prime Minister Malaki announces Iraqi troops will be able to take over security by 2007
June 20, 2006- Japan tells the world that it will begin withdrawing troops from Iraq
Aug 7, 2006- Gen. George Casey says that civil war in Iraq is likely.
Aug 21, 2006- Pres. George W. Bush announces that war had nothing to do with 9/11 and that troops will remain in Iraq "as long as I am the president" (CNN and FOX News)
Sept. 20, 2006- Iraq becomes deadliest place for reporters to work.
Oct. 14, 2006- Three in four Americans support troop withdrawals from Iraq. (FOX News)
Nov 5, 2006- Saddam Huisein is sentenced to death by hanging
Dec. 30, 2006- Saddam executed.
Jan 3, 2007- 3000 American military deaths recorded in war (CNN)
Feb 10, 2007- General David Petraeus takes control of Unites States forces stationed in Iraq
Feb 21, 2007- Tony Blair announces a time-table for U.K. troop withdrawals from Iraq
March 2, 2007- Pentagon announces plan to increase U.S. presence in Iraq
June 30, 2007- 77% of Americans believe that war is going badly.
Sept. 11, 2007- Gen. Petraeus visits Congress to discuss Iraqi progress.
Oct. 22, 2007- Reuters report states that violence in Iraq dropped 70% since June
Nov. 26, 2007- Iraqi government prepares to grant U.S. a long-term presence
Jan. 15, 2008- Iraqi defense minister announces that Iraqi forces will be unable to take control of security until 2012
March 16, 2008- Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain visits Iraq
April 8, 2008 (Today)- Gen. Petraeus updates congress on progress in Iraq.