Iraq

After a successful "Operation Desert Storm", Iraq was demilitarised and was forced to engage in a continous process of reducing weapons and military strength. A Trade embargo was also imposed on them to restrain their economy and prevent them from resorting to militarisation. In late 2002, several UN weapons inspectors reported that there were several unaccounted warheads and missiles that were not covered in the report (12,000 page) submitted to them. This led to growing suspicion of the possibility of re-militarisation. Further, the US intelligence agencies claimed to have received convincing intelligence on the presence of Weapons of Mass Destruction. They also alleged (with no supportive evidence) that a critical "Al Qaeda" cell operated from within Baghdad.

Before the authenticity of these claims could be verified and studied by the international community, the US took it upon itself to act quickly before the evidence disappeared. This was a high-risk decision, resulting in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Iraqis seemingly offered little resistance to the initial invading forces (who were almost in for a victory march, reminding one of 'Arnheim' of WW2 infamy.) Saddam Hussein was also hunted down, captured alive and brought to the US for trial under an international war-crime tribunal. However, no evidence of Weapons of Mass Destruction nor Al Qaeda operatives could be unearthed through the entire operation.

In the aftermath of the operation, a new interim government was setup to pave way for a democratic government in Iraq. However, terrorist attacks in "Baghdad" are part of daily news with civilians and Peace-keeping forces suffering casualties repeatedly. Furthermore, the situation of the lack of law and order seems to persist and the exit strategy originally sought for, has yet to be completed. The new conflict to restore urban peace is codenamed "Operation Sword" and the media does not indicate hope in its progress.