latimes:

Scenes from the Iraq War

Above is a collection of some of the best work from Los Angeles Times photographers Carolyn Cole, Rick Loomis and Luis Sinco and Don Bartletti during their time documenting the Iraq War, from its opening salvos in 2003 to the subsequent insurgency, surge and draw-down.

For a deeper look, head over to Framework, or look back on the story behind Times photographer Sinco’s Pulitzer-honored “Marlboro Marine.”

Photos: Carolyn Cole, Don Bartletti, Rick Loomis, Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

theatlantic:

In Focus: Iraq War’s 10th Anniversary: The Invasion

A decade ago, the U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq on the premise that the country was hiding weapons of mass destruction. Despite worldwide protest and a lack of UN authorization, 200,000 thousand troops deployed into Iraq in March of 2003, following massive airstrikes. The coalition faced minimal opposition, and Baghdad quickly fell. For years after President George W. Bush’s “mission accomplished” speech, the war raged on, fueled by sectarian conflicts, al Qaeda insurgencies, outside agencies, and mismanagement of the occupation. Ten years later, we look back in a three-part series. Today’s entry focuses on the March 20, 2003, invasion of Iraq, and the weeks immediately following. This entry is part 1 of 3, be sure to come back tomorrow for part 2, and part 3 on Wednesday.

See more. [Images: AFP/Getty/AP/Reuters]