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How the Iraq war bent America’s army out of shape
As it exhausted itself battling insurgents, China re-armed
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An explosion rocks Baghdad during air strikes during the invasion of Iraq on March 21, 2003.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Economist
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The Iraq war began on March 21, 2003, when Baghdad’s night sky lit up with American guided bombs and tracer fire.
“This will be a campaign unlike any other in history,” promised General Tommy Franks, the cigar-chomping commander of the United States Central Command (Centcom). “A campaign characterised by shock, by surprise… and by the application of overwhelming force.”
