PART 1: A plan is hatched
The United States' plan to invade Iraq is complicated by a lack of accurate intelligence about Baghdad's weapons programs, including its chemical, biological and even nuclear capabilities.  (Jul 29, '02)

PART 2: Military preparations
Apart from the United Kingdom, the US will essentially be on its own once it decides to attack Iraq. Still, the tacit support of regional allies will be of crucial importance. (Jul 30, '02)

PART 3: Iraq prepares
Iraq has responded to the threat of war by appeasing its hitherto antagonistic neighbors, and by plotting a military strategy that will certainly not be as naive as the one it adopted in the previous war with the US more than a decade ago. (Jul 31, '02)

PART 4: Voices of opposition
The United States is unlikely to pay much heed to countries that oppose its plans to attack Iraq. What is far more worrying to Washington is that the opposition within Iraq to Saddam Hussein's regime may be of little use in any change of regime. (Aug 1, '02)

PART 5: The aftermath
Assuming that a US attack on Iraq succeeds on removing Saddam Hussein, the problems involved in ensuring subsequent stability in the country and in the region will be far more challenging than the attack itself. (Aug 2, '02)