From New York, this is democracy now.

My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages

of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people, and to defend the world from

grave danger.

Twenty years ago today, the United States invaded the oil-rich nation of Iraq, beginning

a devastating war that destroyed Iraq.

Defied international law helped destabilize much of the Middle East.

Today we spend the hour with two Iraqis, the journalist Fuerat Alani and the poet and

novelist Sinan Antun.

I think it's very important to remember the lies that were spread at the time to justify

the invasion occupation.

Also to look at the legacy of what the invasion occupation has left Iraqis with and what kind

of challenges they face as they live with the consequences of that illegal and destructive

war which to my mind amounts to terrorism.

All that and more coming up.

Welcome to DemocracyNow, democracyNow.org, the War and Peace Report.

I'm Amy Goodman.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin and his

first visit to Russia since it invaded Ukraine.

Beijing's show of support for Putin comes days after the International Criminal Court issued

an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes for deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

This is ICC President Piotr Huffmansky.

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