July 18, 2009 - I am no longer maintaining this web page. This is not because the "mission" has finally been accomplished. It is simply because in the view of most of the world this sad chapter in Middle East history has come to an end. The world no longer cares what happens in Iraq.

Of course, for countless Iraqis whose lives have been changed forever by the invasion and occupation of their country, this senseless tragedy has not come to an end. They live on in the numbing realization that the countless lives lost in the conflict and the immense losses of property and resources were all for nothing.

May the God whom we address by different names, who watches over us with the heart of a father, have mercy on us all.

War In Iraq

"We sat, horrified, stunned with the horror of the scene that unfolded in front of our eyes. The room was silent at the end of the scene, with only the voice of the news anchor and the sobs of my aunt. My little cousin flinched and dropped her spoon, face frozen with shock, eyes wide with disbelief, glued to the television screen, "Is he dead? Did they kill him?" I swallowed hard, trying to gulp away the lump lodged in my throat and watched as my cousin buried his face in his hands, ashamed to look at his daughter."

- Baghdad Burning

The Faces of War

More images at www.robert-fisk.com. Warning! Very graphic.

First they endured years of hardship under the burden of economic sanctions. Then they suffered the invasion and occupation of their land by foreign armies, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction of property. Now they face a downward spiral of sectarian violence and distrust that threatens the very existence of their country. Peace and stability seem as elusive as ever for the Iraqi people.

Iraqi Civilian Casualties

Coalition Casualties

The number of deaths among coalition forces has risen to 4643. They too are victims in this conflict. Learn more about the men and women in the armed forces who have lost their lives in Iraq.

U.S. troops wounded in action: 31,430. Read their stories.

Photographs the U.S. Government does not want you to see.

Cost of the War in Iraq

"No taxpayers' money should be used to destroy life." - George W. Bush

So many human needs compete for the world's resources. The world's richest nation has the means to accomplish almost anything. It is regrettable that its wealth and capacity is squandered on a senseless and destructive war in Iraq when so much good is left undone.

Iraqi Prisoner Abuse

Iraqi with U.S. military guards and their dogs

Media reports of prisoner abuse at the Abu Ghraib detention facility in Iraq, as well as in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have caused outrage around the world. The shocking photographs of Iraqi prisoners being abused and humiliated by American soldiers contradict the image the U.S. tries to project as the liberator of the Iraqi people. The abuse of detainees deepens the mistrust and hatred of Americans in the Muslim world. We have inflicted wounds that will take a long time to heal. But if we are to find a place to begin, we must consider Jesus' words: Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me. More...

Photos of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. Warning! Very graphic.

"We do not torture." - George W. Bush

The Middle East - History

Seeking a Broader View

The Koran - The source of the faith and traditions of all Muslims. Understanding and respecting this sacred book is the first step toward peace.

Understanding issues from the perspective of others is essential to building a peaceful world. Visit Aljazeera news service. (in English)

Read about human rights issues in Iraq from the respected international organization Human Rights Watch.

Dahr Jamail's Iraq Dispatches - eyewitness reports from one of only a few independent U.S. journalists in Iraq.

Baghdad Burning - Girl Blog from Iraq - observations on war, politics and occupation.