I saw America snatch defeat from victory in Iraq

Cheered on by jubilant locals, US soldiers toppled a statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. (Image: AP)

Sun, 26 Mar 2023

By Bobby Ghosh Twenty years ago this week, I watched the start of the US-led invasion of Iraq on TV in a hotel room in Amman, Jordan, wondering whether it was good or bad luck that I was not in Baghdad to experience the so-called “shock and awe” bombing campaign. I had been forced to leave only a few days before, as the government of Saddam Hussein had begun selectively evicting foreign journalists. The Ministry of Information wanted to reduce the number of unruly cats it would have to herd when hostilities broke out...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Life Free

Fiji's pitch: strategy, sunshine and staff bonding

The country pitches itself as a short-haul, high-impact destination for team trips.

Riley Kennedy 31 Aug 2025

The Life

Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Play a board game

Games have come a long way since the days of Monopoly and Scrabble.

The Washington Post 31 Aug 2025

Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Play a board game

The Life

European budget-airline experiment's highs and lows

Hopscotching across the continent has never been cheaper or easier.

The Wall Street Journal 31 Aug 2025

European budget-airline experiment's highs and lows

Sponsored

Bold Steps: reshaping women’s leadership in Aotearoa

Dame Therese Walsh and Dame Joan Withers reflect on the summit’s unlikely beginnings – and how it has evolved into a platform for ambition and impact today.

OnBeingBold

Sponsored