America? Shadow Warriors - In-depth report on the CIA paramilitary Special Operations Group, by the German magazine Der Spiegel. Translated and published in the New York Times [free registration required].
The Downing Street Memo - A leaked British government memo reveals that Bush did not believe Iraq was a serious threat, intelligence was "fixed" to sell the war to the American public, and Bush's public assurances of "war as a last resort" were at odds with their privately stated intentions.
Operation Regime Change - Dan Plesch reports on latest strategic plans in the Pentagon for a short, intense air campaign and landings in Baghdad to oust Saddam Hussein. Guardian, UK. (February 19, 2003)
U.S. Pilots in Gulf Use Southern Iraq for Practice Runs - Detailed report on the preparations of the troops in the Gulf region, focusing on mock strikes against Iraqi targets by Navy pilots. New York Times, US [free registration required]. (November 3, 2002)
U.S. Refines Plan for War in Cities - Explains how the US doctrine of urban warfare and tactical training has changed, with references to the recently published Pentagon document "Joint Publication 3-06: Doctrine for Joint Urban Operations". New York Times, US [free registration required]. (October 22, 2002)
Pentagon Shows Videos of Iraq Firings at Allied Jets - Eric Schmitt sums up Pentagon briefings and international discussion on the activity of Iraqi antiaircraft artillery against allied pilots. Includes map and statistics explaining US and British strikes in the No-Fly-Zone. (October 1, 2002)
US Pours Arms Into Gulf Region - Report on the military build-up and the resumption of US and British air strikes in the no-fly zones in Iraq. The Guardian, UK. (September 8, 2002)
Wake-up call - The biggest war game in US military history was rigged to ensure that the Americans beat their "Middle Eastern" adversaries. Julian Borger interviews Lieutenant General Paul Van Riper, the leader of the enemy forces, and explains the strategy of the Pentagon that should be tested in the game. The Guardian, UK. (September 6, 2002)
War games rigged? - General Paul Van Riper says that the war game Millennium Challenge 02 was almost entirely scripted, and warns to use the results as proof for any new war strategy. Army Times, US. (August 16, 2002)
US to Attack Iraq via Jordan - American military planners are preparing to use Jordan as a base for an assault on Iraq later this year or early in 2003. The Observer, UK. (July 7, 2002)
U.S. Plan for Iraq Is Said to Include Attack on 3 Sides - Detailed report on the content of a Pentagon document entitled "CentCom Courses of Action" and prepared by planners at the Central Command. New York Times, US (free registration required). (July 5, 2002)
Bush Gives CIA Green Light to Kill Saddam - An intelligence order signed by President George Bush instructs the CIA to conduct covert operations aimed at toppling the Iraqi leader. The Guardian, UK. (June 17, 2002)
President Broadens Anti-Hussein Order - The CIA gets more tools to oust the Iraqi leader, reports Bob Woodward for Washington Post, US. (June 16, 2002)
