On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selective targets of military importance

to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war.

Fifteen years since the invasion of Iraq, it's tempting to consign the war to the distant past,

but there is still a reckoning to be had. Even today, I don't think

it's clear to Americans why people were so angry at the United States for what they did in that

country. Of course, Shiites grow down from the roof of the cave, and Sunnis grow up from the ground.

It was just this sense of we are absolutely in this quagmire,

and how in God's name do we get out of it?

The massive death and the billions of dollars,

and yet no one was held accountable,

and when no one is held accountable,

they or someone else will do it again.

It's all coming up after this.

From WNYC in New York, this is on the media.

Bob Garfield is away this week.

I'm Brooke Gladstone.

It was 15 years ago this month that President George W. Bush

announced the beginning of the war in Iraq, setting off an invasion and occupation with a long,

grim shadow. On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military

importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war.

These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign.

Broad indeed. Even as the war in Iraq feels like a never-ending story we can still barely follow,

...