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Background: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government, while simultaneously dealing with a robust insurgency. The Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government (IG) in June 2004. Iraqis voted on 30 January 2005 to elect a 275-member Transitional National Assembly that will draft a permanent constitution and pave the way for new national elections at the end of 2005.



Links: West Travel Blogs (19) | West Travel Photos | Iraq Travel Forum | Iraq Facts | Map of Iraq

Areas in West: Al Asad Airbase | Ar Rutbah

32 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Dad's care Package
June 19th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
My Dad’s care package arrived today. Because of the sandstorm all of our mail was delayed so today there was a huge pile in the mailroom. I goy some really cool stuff. Lots of food and snacks ... [full story]

Holy Sand Batman
32 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Holy Sand Batman
June 17th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Holy sand batman. Today we encountered the worst sandstorm yet. There has been light sand for the last few days. This morning I got up and gathered my things to go shower and as I opened the door I ... 3 photos [full story]

32 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Cinderella and Coffee Beans
June 16th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Today my first care package arrived. I was so excited - like a kid at Christmas. Kristen sent me a package with my Army Times (weekly newspaper for the Army), some things I left at home, and Lizzie ... [full story]

Father
32 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Father's Day
June 15th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Father’s Day and my first day off this deployment. I planned to get up, after sleeping in a bit, and go for a bike ride on the ridge of the base. I woke up to the radio (walkie talkie) and tho ... 1 photos [full story]

Happy Birthday Army
34 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Happy Birthday Army
June 14th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Happy Birthday to the Army. She is 233 today. Since today is Groundhog Day we didn’t know that it was the Army birthday today until we saw the email from the Sergeant Major of the Army. Oh, H ... 2 photos [full story]

Power Outage
34 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Power Outage
June 13th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
A power outage today. The hospital is new to Al Asad. It was built last year. It has all of the modern hospital equipment. We have x-Ray, CT Scanner, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Blood Bank, ER, OR, and ... 2 photos [full story]

Going Batty
34 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Going Batty
June 12th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Today we gained a new addition to the hospital - a mascot of sorts. Even though we are not allowed mascots under General Order 1 (the same order that prohibits Alcohol, Sex, Fun, etc.) we adopted a b ... 1 photos [full story]

34 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Hump Day
June 11th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Hump day. I used to go by the days of the week. Wednesday was two days until Friday, which meant time home with my girls. I usually don’t know what day it is. Our wives laugh at us because w ... [full story]

Puddle of Mudd
34 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
Puddle of Mudd
June 10th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Today the weather cleared. The concert is on. Puddle of Mudd a rock band from Seattle came to Al Asad tonight. Everybody is glad to see anything other than work and sand. Mark and I went early to ... 1 photos [full story]

34 days ago: LT Anthony published a blog
A Band
June 9th 2008  Middle East » Iraq » West » Al Asad Airbase
Another sandstorm today. A band was supposed to play for us tonight but they were not able to fly in today. Hopefully tomorrow they will offer the concert. The sand storm is really interesting. It ... [full story]


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