The Iraq War began on March 20, 2003 when a United States led coalition invaded Iraq with the goal of removing Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime. Five years later the United States military continued to occupy the country, battling insurgent forces and fostering the development of a democratic republic, while facing harsh criticism from the world and at home.

The 2008 Presidential Election features two candidates with opposing views on how the United States should proceed as the Iraq War heads towards its sixth year. John McCain advocates maintaining an indefinite military presence in Iraq,JohnMcCain.com: Strategy for Victory in Iraq while Barack Obama supports immediate troop withdrawal.BarackObama.com: Plan for Ending the War in Iraq

• Google News: Iraq War 5 Years On
• San Francisco Chronicle: Examining the War in Iraq After 5 Years (March 16, 2008)
• USA Today: Opposition to Iraq War Is Divided After 5 Years (March 14, 2008)
  • "60% who call the invasion a mistake and want to set a timetable to get out are fractured into four distinct groups, a USA Today analysis of public opinion toward the war concludes."
• Yahoo! News: For Few, Iraq War Has Changed Everything (March 8, 2008)