Multi-layered interactive map of Iraq from the BBC, showing locations of UK forces, Iraqi bases, oilfields, weapons sites, Presidential sites, dissident areas, Iraq missile range, a map of Baghdad, and a ton of other info.

BBC: Maps of Attack Strategies

] It is emblematic of an evolution in leftist values that has
] occurred so gradually over a period of decades that the
] profound nature of the shift is often not noticed. Today, the
] political counterculture and the antiwar movement in the
] West often seem to be one and the same.

Interesting way of putting it. And I can indeed name several people I know who seem to be anti-war not because they've thought through the issues, but simply because of a knee-jerk "if our government wants it, then it must be the wrong thing to do" kind of reaction.

To be fair, I have also spoken with anti-war advocates who *have* thought through the issues, and have clear, articulate opinions of why war is a bad idea, along with specific suggestions of alternative courses of action. I may still end up disagreeing with them, but I have far more respect for their opinion, and will spend much more time listening carefully to them, when it's clear that they've given thought to both sides of the issue and made a decision based on the facts of the matter, instead of just an emotional "anti-authority" response.

Salon.com | See no evil

] The bombs were dropped in a southern "no-fly" zone in
] response to Iraqi anti-aircraft fire, a Navy admiral
] said.
]
] Rear Adm. John Kelly said on the aircraft carrier USS
] Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf that the latest of dozens of
] such recent strikes in no-fly zones of northern and
] southern Iraq were against "command and control" targets
] in response to attempts on Tuesday to shoot down U.S. and
] British aircraft.

This kind of thing has been going on for years in Iraq, but it never seems to get much attention. I wonder though if one of these incidents later today will finally just be labeled differently as "the first shots of the war"?

U.S. planes dropped bombs in response to anti-aircraft fire

] Dutch journalist Peter Tetteroo aims his camera out the
] window of his hotel room in Pyongyang to film a
] policewoman directing traffic. She's in constant motion,
] gesturing to vehicles coming from one direction, then
] pivoting crisply and signaling to vehicles coming from
] another direction.
]
] It all looks perfectly normal, except for one thing:
] There's no traffic. North Korea doesn't have very many
] cars, and none of them happens to be driving by. The
] policewoman's choreography is all a surreal charade.

Washington Post.Com: 'Welcome to North Korea': A Surreal, Sad Game of Charades

] But if we leave Iraq with chemical and biological
] weapons, after 12 years of defiance, there is a
] considerable risk that one day these weapons will fall
] into the wrong hands and put many more lives at risk than
] will be lost in overthrowing Saddam.

The Guardian | Bill Clinton: Trust Tony's judgment

] About 50 pigeons will ride with Marine units into Iraq to
] provide early warning of a biological or chemical weapons
] attack

Early Warning Pigeons

] Reaction has been coming in from around the world
] following US President George W Bush's deadline for
] President Saddam Hussein and his two sons to leave Iraq
] by 0100GMT on Thursday 20 March or face war.

Quotes from a variety of countries: France, Japan, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, Canada, China, Russia, Philippines, Iran, the Arab League, Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), New Zealand, and the Vatican. All over the scale, from "we're for it" to "we're against it," to "we're staying out of it and minding our own business".

BBC NEWS : In quotes: Reaction to Bush ultimatum

] "We fly a U.S. flag today to show our support to all
] American peace lovers, those like Rachel," said
] Palestinian farmer Hassan Abu Toa'ma, 24.
]
] It was a rare change of pace for Rafah, where American
] flags have more often been burned than held in reverence
] since the Intifada began in September 2000.

The sheer topsy-turvy mix of nationalities on this story touched me. Palestinians offering sympathy to Americans? A Hebrew news source reporting the Palestinian situation with sympathy? Perhaps this girl's tragic death can bring all sides together, for a brief time at least.

Ha'aretz (Hebrew News): Gazans Mourn American Protester Killed by IDF Bulldozer

(sic)

] The Iraqi President Saddam Hussein issued a decision last
] week for the partitioning of Iraq into four military
] zones in preperation of any war started by the USA. The
] Iraqi President handed over Baghdad's leadership to his
] younger son Qusai while he distributed other area on his
] aides.

ArabicNews.com: Iraq creates four military areas

] U.S. officials have pointed to Khazraji, widely respected
] among the Iraqi armed forces for his role in the
] Iran-Iraq war, as a candidate for a leadership position
] in an Iraq without Saddam.

The ex-Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army (1987-1990) goes for a walk near his current home in Denmark, and disappears. Was he kidnapped (or worse) by Iraqi Intelligence? Did he flee the country from fear of a war crimes trial, or did something else happen? Stay tuned...

Top Iraqi defector disappears