for better or worse… it
for better or worse... it has begun.
[All times GMT and approximate]
Thursday 20 March
0401 The US issues a global alert, warning of potential terrorist attacks to American citizens abroad now the conflict has started.
0350 US defence officials say the air strikes so far have been of limited scope, and were designed to prepare the field for more intense operations.
0315 US President George W Bush addresses the American nation, saying that coalition forces have begun striking targets of military importance in Iraq.
0308 The main frequency of Iraqi state radio is reported to have been taken over by the US military.
0250 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announces that war has commenced. "The opening stages of the disarmament of the Iraqi regime have begun," he says.
0245 Explosions are heard over Baghdad and anti-aircraft fire is seen in the sky.
0129 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says: "The disarmament of the Iraqi regime will begin at a time of the president's choosing."
0110 Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev condemns US military moves, saying the United States was acting as if the world was its fiefdom.
0100 United States deadline for Saddam Hussein to go into exile or face war expires.
0020 US National Security Council meeting ends in Washington. A senior administration official later says President Bush decided when to launch a strike on Iraq during the meeting.
Wednesday 19 March
1950 The Pentagon confirms new air strikes by the US and British planes against what it says are surface-to-surface missiles and artillery in the no-fly-zone in south-eastern Iraq.
1650 The US says 17 Iraqi soldiers surrender to American forces on the Kuwaiti border.
1600 US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair hold a 20-minute telephone conversation.
1600 Opponents of the use of force against Iraq - notably Germany and France - restate their objections at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
1540 Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix in a briefing to the council expresses "sadness" that it had not been possible to produce the assurances needed about Iraq's arsenal.
1430 The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, says military action against Iraq would be outside international law.
1120 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says Italy will provide political but not military support for a US-led military assault on Iraq.
1100 Jordan's national airline - the only commercial airline with regular flights to Baghdad - reportedly cancels flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
0900 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak blames Iraq for bringing the Gulf region to the brink of war, but warns that toppling Saddam Hussein is not the solution.
0730 The Iraqi parliament opens an emergency session with a rejection of the US war ultimatum.
0715 Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says "there is every chance" that a war against Iraq will begin on Thursday.
0507 South Korea declares support for the US policy and says it may send non-combat troops to contribute to the war effort.
Tuesday 18 March
2310 Turkish Government says it will ask MPs again to allow US request for permission to fly over territory during any Iraq campaign.
2228 UK Parliament approves use of military force to disarm Iraq by 412 votes to 149.
2214 Anti-war amendment defeated in UK Parliament despite signs of increased rebellion against Prime Minister Tony Blair.
1821 UN reports all foreign staff to be evacuated from Baghdad have now arrived in Cyprus.
1649 US Secretary of State Colin Powell says 45 nations have signed up to the "coalition of the willing" against Iraq.
1245 The Iraqi leadership rejects the US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave the country.
1238 UK Prime Minister Tony Blair makes case for war to the House of Commons in a major debate: "I believe passionately we must hold firm to that course [of disarmament of Iraq]".
1110 Home Office minister John Denham becomes third MP to quit the UK Government over Iraq.
1108 The Vatican warns that those who go to war with Iraq "assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history".
1030 French President Jacques Chirac denounces impending US invasion as bound to undermine future efforts at peaceful disarmament.
0900 German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder says there is no justification for war against Iraq and no reason to end the weapons inspections.
0855 Departing UN weapons inspectors arrive in Cyprus.
0723 Health minister Lord Hunt becomes second UK minister to resign over Iraq.
0500 France says President Bush's ultimatum to Saddam Hussein is "contrary to the will of the UN Security Council".
0122 US increases terrorism alert to orange, the second highest level.
0100 President Bush delivers live television address. He says "Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at time of our choosing."
Monday 17 March
2114 Australian Prime Minister John Howard commits troops to join any US-led war with Iraq.
2019 The Turkish Government says it will urgently address the issue of whether more than 60,000 US troops should be allowed to move into northern Iraq from Turkish soil.
1843 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin says the decision by the US, Britain and Spain to abandon diplomacy "could have heavy consequences for the region and for the world".
1831 Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri rejects a US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein to leave the country or face war, describing President George W Bush as "the number one warmonger in the world".
1737 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announces he has ordered the evacuation of arms inspectors from Iraq and suspended the oil-for-food programme.
1610 A leading member of the British Government, the former foreign secretary, Robin Cook, resigns his post as Leader of the House of Commons, saying he cannot support a war without international agreement or domestic support.
1515 The White House announces that US President George W Bush is to address the nation at 0100GMT on Tuesday. He is expected to issue Saddam Hussein with an ultimatum: leave the country or face war.
1500 UK ambassador to the UN Sir Jeremy Greenstock says the diplomatic process on Iraq has concluded and announces the withdrawal of a draft resolution co-sponsored by the US and Spain.
1355 Closure of Pakistan's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1353 Britain's Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith confirms in a written parliamentary statement that war on Iraq would be legal on the grounds of existing UN resolutions.
1328 Greece which holds the EU presidency says Britain and Spain have aligned themselves with the US on the Iraq crisis outside the framework of the EU.
1301 Closure of Greece's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1115 Russian President Vladimir Putin says war against Iraq would be a "mistake".
1115 China announces it is evacuating its embassy staff and Chinese journalists from Baghdad.
1009 UN's nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei says Washington has advised weapons inspectors to leave Iraq.
1009 Russia advises its nationals to leave Iraq.
0845 China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing says the Iraq issue should be solved through dialogue within the UN.
0815 Russia's deputy foreign minister Yuri Fedotov is quoted as saying that a second UN resolution has "no chance".
0720 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin reiterates that a second UN resolution on Iraq is "unacceptable".
0630 UK advises all its citizens, except diplomatic staff, to leave Kuwait
0600 Reports emerge that UN observers stationed along Kuwait's border with Iraq have ceased all operations.
0430 Australian Prime Minister John Howard says participation of his country in any conflict with Iraq is getting "more likely".
0130 US orders non-essential diplomats to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait.
0001 In a pre-recorded interview on CNN, French President Jacques Chirac maintains threat to veto a second resolution, and says Paris is willing to compromise on how long UN arms inspections in Iraq should last.
Sunday 16 March
1915 In pre-recorded comments, Iraqi President Saddam says it is a "great lie" that Iraq has banned weapons and vows his country will fight "anywhere in the world" if the US invades.
Shortly afterwards, in an interview with Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri warns that tens of thousands of Iraqis have pledged to sacrifice their lives in operations against the US.
1835 The three emerge from their summit to announce there is a small window for diplomacy; President Bush declares Monday a "moment of truth" for the international community.
1710 US, UK and Spanish leaders meet in the mid-Atlantic Azores islands for what they denied was a council of war.
Thursday 20 March
0401 The US issues a global alert, warning of potential terrorist attacks to American citizens abroad now the conflict has started.
0350 US defence officials say the air strikes so far have been of limited scope, and were designed to prepare the field for more intense operations.
0315 US President George W Bush addresses the American nation, saying that coalition forces have begun striking targets of military importance in Iraq.
0308 The main frequency of Iraqi state radio is reported to have been taken over by the US military.
0250 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announces that war has commenced. "The opening stages of the disarmament of the Iraqi regime have begun," he says.
0245 Explosions are heard over Baghdad and anti-aircraft fire is seen in the sky.
0129 White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says: "The disarmament of the Iraqi regime will begin at a time of the president's choosing."
0110 Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev condemns US military moves, saying the United States was acting as if the world was its fiefdom.
0100 United States deadline for Saddam Hussein to go into exile or face war expires.
0020 US National Security Council meeting ends in Washington. A senior administration official later says President Bush decided when to launch a strike on Iraq during the meeting.
Wednesday 19 March
1950 The Pentagon confirms new air strikes by the US and British planes against what it says are surface-to-surface missiles and artillery in the no-fly-zone in south-eastern Iraq.
1650 The US says 17 Iraqi soldiers surrender to American forces on the Kuwaiti border.
1600 US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair hold a 20-minute telephone conversation.
1600 Opponents of the use of force against Iraq - notably Germany and France - restate their objections at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
1540 Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix in a briefing to the council expresses "sadness" that it had not been possible to produce the assurances needed about Iraq's arsenal.
1430 The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, says military action against Iraq would be outside international law.
1120 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says Italy will provide political but not military support for a US-led military assault on Iraq.
1100 Jordan's national airline - the only commercial airline with regular flights to Baghdad - reportedly cancels flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
0900 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak blames Iraq for bringing the Gulf region to the brink of war, but warns that toppling Saddam Hussein is not the solution.
0730 The Iraqi parliament opens an emergency session with a rejection of the US war ultimatum.
0715 Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says "there is every chance" that a war against Iraq will begin on Thursday.
0507 South Korea declares support for the US policy and says it may send non-combat troops to contribute to the war effort.
Tuesday 18 March
2310 Turkish Government says it will ask MPs again to allow US request for permission to fly over territory during any Iraq campaign.
2228 UK Parliament approves use of military force to disarm Iraq by 412 votes to 149.
2214 Anti-war amendment defeated in UK Parliament despite signs of increased rebellion against Prime Minister Tony Blair.
1821 UN reports all foreign staff to be evacuated from Baghdad have now arrived in Cyprus.
1649 US Secretary of State Colin Powell says 45 nations have signed up to the "coalition of the willing" against Iraq.
1245 The Iraqi leadership rejects the US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave the country.
1238 UK Prime Minister Tony Blair makes case for war to the House of Commons in a major debate: "I believe passionately we must hold firm to that course [of disarmament of Iraq]".
1110 Home Office minister John Denham becomes third MP to quit the UK Government over Iraq.
1108 The Vatican warns that those who go to war with Iraq "assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history".
1030 French President Jacques Chirac denounces impending US invasion as bound to undermine future efforts at peaceful disarmament.
0900 German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder says there is no justification for war against Iraq and no reason to end the weapons inspections.
0855 Departing UN weapons inspectors arrive in Cyprus.
0723 Health minister Lord Hunt becomes second UK minister to resign over Iraq.
0500 France says President Bush's ultimatum to Saddam Hussein is "contrary to the will of the UN Security Council".
0122 US increases terrorism alert to orange, the second highest level.
0100 President Bush delivers live television address. He says "Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at time of our choosing."
Monday 17 March
2114 Australian Prime Minister John Howard commits troops to join any US-led war with Iraq.
2019 The Turkish Government says it will urgently address the issue of whether more than 60,000 US troops should be allowed to move into northern Iraq from Turkish soil.
1843 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin says the decision by the US, Britain and Spain to abandon diplomacy "could have heavy consequences for the region and for the world".
1831 Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri rejects a US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein to leave the country or face war, describing President George W Bush as "the number one warmonger in the world".
1737 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announces he has ordered the evacuation of arms inspectors from Iraq and suspended the oil-for-food programme.
1610 A leading member of the British Government, the former foreign secretary, Robin Cook, resigns his post as Leader of the House of Commons, saying he cannot support a war without international agreement or domestic support.
1515 The White House announces that US President George W Bush is to address the nation at 0100GMT on Tuesday. He is expected to issue Saddam Hussein with an ultimatum: leave the country or face war.
1500 UK ambassador to the UN Sir Jeremy Greenstock says the diplomatic process on Iraq has concluded and announces the withdrawal of a draft resolution co-sponsored by the US and Spain.
1355 Closure of Pakistan's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1353 Britain's Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith confirms in a written parliamentary statement that war on Iraq would be legal on the grounds of existing UN resolutions.
1328 Greece which holds the EU presidency says Britain and Spain have aligned themselves with the US on the Iraq crisis outside the framework of the EU.
1301 Closure of Greece's embassy in Baghdad announced.
1115 Russian President Vladimir Putin says war against Iraq would be a "mistake".
1115 China announces it is evacuating its embassy staff and Chinese journalists from Baghdad.
1009 UN's nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei says Washington has advised weapons inspectors to leave Iraq.
1009 Russia advises its nationals to leave Iraq.
0845 China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing says the Iraq issue should be solved through dialogue within the UN.
0815 Russia's deputy foreign minister Yuri Fedotov is quoted as saying that a second UN resolution has "no chance".
0720 French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin reiterates that a second UN resolution on Iraq is "unacceptable".
0630 UK advises all its citizens, except diplomatic staff, to leave Kuwait
0600 Reports emerge that UN observers stationed along Kuwait's border with Iraq have ceased all operations.
0430 Australian Prime Minister John Howard says participation of his country in any conflict with Iraq is getting "more likely".
0130 US orders non-essential diplomats to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait.
0001 In a pre-recorded interview on CNN, French President Jacques Chirac maintains threat to veto a second resolution, and says Paris is willing to compromise on how long UN arms inspections in Iraq should last.
Sunday 16 March
1915 In pre-recorded comments, Iraqi President Saddam says it is a "great lie" that Iraq has banned weapons and vows his country will fight "anywhere in the world" if the US invades.
Shortly afterwards, in an interview with Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri warns that tens of thousands of Iraqis have pledged to sacrifice their lives in operations against the US.
1835 The three emerge from their summit to announce there is a small window for diplomacy; President Bush declares Monday a "moment of truth" for the international community.
1710 US, UK and Spanish leaders meet in the mid-Atlantic Azores islands for what they denied was a council of war.
Stomach. Knots.
So, so sorrowed.
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