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President Bush in his State of the Union speech places Iraq, along with Iran and North Korea, in the %u2018Axis of Evil%u2019, a category he used to describe nations seeking weapons of mass destruction.
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%u201CAuthorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002%u201D passed by Congress, which supports the President %u201Cstrictly enforcing all relevant UN Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq%u201D and, %u201Cobtaining prompt and decisive action to ensure that Iraq abandons its strategy of delay, evasion and noncompliance and promptly and strictly complies with all relevant Security Council resolutions.%u201D
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UN Security Council approves resolution 1441, stating that Iraq, %u201Chas been and remains in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions, including resolution 687 in particular through Iraq%u2019s failure to cooperate with UN inspectors and the IAEA, and to complete the actions required under resolution 687%u201D and that the resolution was, %u201Ca final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations.%u201D Iraq accepted the resolution 4 days later.
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Chief U.N. Weapons Inspector Hans Blix delivers his inspection report to the U.N. Security Council. Blix stated that, "Iraq appears not to have come to genuine acceptance %u2014 not even today %u2014 of the disarmament which was demanded of it and which it needs to carry out to win the confidence of the world and live in peace%u201D.
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President Bush issues an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein ordering him to go into exile or face a military attack by the United States. Bush promised the Iraqis, %u201C%u2026no more wars of aggression against your neighbors, no more poison factories, no more executions of dissidents, no more torture chambers and rape rooms.
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President Bush orders the start of military action against Iraq.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom%u201D begins with airstrikes.
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Coalition forces capture the port of Umm Qasr.
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Coalition forces capture Basra.
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A large statue of Saddam is toppled at Firdos Square in Baghdad, producing some of the most iconic pictures of the invasion.
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U.S. and Kurdish troops capture Kirkuk.
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U.S. forces capture Tikrit.
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President George W. Bush declares the end of major combat operations in Iraq.
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The UN recognizes the Coalition occupation of Iraq and ends international sanctions against the country.
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The Iraqi Governing Council is established under the CPA.
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Saddam Hussein%u2019s sons Uday and Qusay are killed in Mosul.
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The Iraq Survey Group issues its report saying that it found evidence of %u201CWMD-related programs%u201D, but no WMDs.
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UN Resolution 1511 passes, recognizing the legitimacy of the U.S.-backed Iraqi government while calling for a timetable on Iraqi self-governance.
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Iraqi Interim Government led by Iyad Allawi assumes power.
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Iraqis vote to choose representatives to the 275 member Iraqi National Assembly.
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Saddam Hussein%u2019s trial for crimes against humanity begins.
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President Bush admits in a speech to the Woodrow Wilson Center that the US possessed faulty intelligence leading up to the Iraq War. However, he maintained that the invasion was the right course of action.
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President Bush announces a change of tactics in Iraq, beginning a debate in Congress on, the 'Surge%u2019. It would begin 4 days later as Operation Law and Order commences in Baghdad with the aim of stabilizing the Iraqi capital.
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British troops hand over control of Basra to the Iraqi authorities.
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The U.N. extends the Coalition mandate in Iraq until December 31st, 2008.
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