U.S. trains Osama bin Laden and fellow terrorists to kill Soviets. CIA gives them $3 billion.

The Reagan Administration removed Saddam Hussein’s Iraq from the list of states supporting terrorism, despite credible information that Iraq was, in fact, still supporting terrorism. The decision came as Iraq was on the brink of losing its war with Iran which had begun in September 1980.

According to a 1994 Senate report, private American suppliers, licensed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, exported a witch's brew of biological and chemical materials to Iraq from 1985 through 1989 despite evidence that Iraq was engaging in chemical and biological warfare against Iranians and Kurds since as early as 1984.

While most of the arms and machinery America helped Saddam Hussein get his hands on came through intermediary countries, many others were direct from the US. Among them were more than 100 helicopters (some of which, the Los Angeles Times reported, were used in gassing the Kurds in 1988). William Blum also reports that: "U.S. companies sold Iraq more than $1 billion worth of the components needed to build nuclear weapons and diverse types of missiles, including the infamous Scud."

Main players: Ronald Reagan, George Bush Snr., and Donald Rumsfeld.

White House secretly gives Iran weapons to help them kill Iraqis.

Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, relying partially on U.S. taxpayer-guaranteed loans, funnelled $5 billion to Iraq from 1985 to 1989. Some government-backed loans were supposed to be for agricultural purposes, but were used to facilitate the purchase of stronger stuff than wheat. Federal Reserve and Agriculture department memos warned of suspected abuses by Iraq, which apparently took advantage of the loans to free up funds for munitions. U.S. taxpayers have been left holding the bag for what looks like $ 2 billion in defaulted loans to Iraq.

George H. W. Bush took office as President of the United States. His policy on Iraq, not surprisingly, followed directly in the steps of Reagan’s: high priority was placed on U.S.-Iraq relations because of Saddam Hussein’s potential as a "major player," but reviewed persistent divisive issues, including Iraq’s chemical weapons use which "aroused great emotions" in the U.S., and its "abominable human rights record." These negative factors were contrasted with Iraq’s value as a market and its potential as a trading partner, and wit the fact that it shared an interest with the U.S. in containing Iran.

On August 2nd, Iraq invaded Kuwait, thus beginning the Gulf War. Unless they completely destroyed and rebuilt their army and weapons, the Iraqis were using the same weapons they'd used in their war with Iran, the same weapons we'd sent them and helped them to acquire.

On February 27th, the United States announced the liberation of Kuwait and the return to power of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The Gulf War officially lasted for six weeks. In that time, the United States dropped 85,000 tons of explosives in 110,000 sorties over Iraq. The United States lost 125 troops, most of them from friendly fire. It was a new style of war, fought and won-for the most part-from the sky.

On the ground, where the bombs and missiles fell, more than just victory was achieved. The Jordanian Red Crescent estimated that 113,000 Iraqi civilians were killed in the war.

America and the West pushed sanctions through the United Nations, though the sanctions themselves were bound to affect the Iraqi people more than their oppressive, dictatorial rulers. In the past twelve years, Saddam Hussein has lived comfortably, untouched by the sanctions.

According to the UN, over 1.2 million Iraqis have died as a result of the sanctions as of June 1997.

American planes bomb Iraq on a weekly basis. U.N. estimates 500,000 Iraqi children die from bombing and sanctions.

U.S. gives Taliban-ruled Afghanistan $245 million in "aid".

Osama Bin Laden uses his expert CIA training to murder 3,000 people.

On Jan. 29th President Bush labels Iraq, Iran and North Korea the "Axis of Evil" in his first State of the Union speech.

On Feb. 5th Iraq wants to resume talks with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, an Arab League spokesman says. Annan agrees.

On March 7th Annan meets Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri at the United Nations, says he has sensed "some flexibility" in Baghdad's position on Security Council resolutions.

On July 30th Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says Bush administration wants to see a "regime change" in Iraq but has not made a decision whether to pursue it by going to war.

On Aug. 21st Rumsfeld says Bush is "thinking about" war with Iraq. "(The) president has made no decision to go into war with Iraq," he says, however.

On Sept. 12th Bush tells world leaders gathered at a U.N. General Assembly session to confront the "grave and gathering danger" of Iraq -- or stand aside as the United States acts.

On Sept. 16 Iraq says it will allow -- "without conditions" -- the immediate return of weapons inspectors, who have been barred by Baghdad since late 1998. Washington calls the move "a tactical step."

On Sept. 25^th National security adviser Condoleezza Rice says Iraq possibly helped al-Qaida operatives develop chemical and biological weapons, and that senior leaders of the terrorist network have been harbored in Baghdad. First attempt to tie Baghdad with terrorism.

On Nov. 8th U.N. Security Council unanimously approves U.S.-sponsored Resolution 1441, authorizing the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq and "serious consequences" if Baghdad fails to cooperate.

On Feb 5^th Secretary of State Colin Powell in a show-and-tell presentation to U.N. Security Council details what he says is Iraq's attempts to hide its weapons of mass destruction and its links to al-Qaida.

On Feb. 15th Massive anti-war rallies rock Europe and the world.

On Feb. 24th Britain introduces tough, new U.S.-backed draft resolution on Iraq to the U.N. Security Council. Draft repeats earlier warning to Iraq to disarm or face "serious consequences." Simultaneously, France and Russia recommend continuation of weapons inspections.

On March 5th Blix says Iraq is "taking greater steps" toward disarmament but there are still many "question marks." He added: "If we were given more months, we would welcome it" because it's too soon to "close the door."

On March 17th In the Azores, Bush says "moment of truth for the world" to disarm Saddam. United States, Britain and Spain withdraw their resolution seeking U.N. support for forcible disarmament of Iraq, citing veto threats. Blair hit by first Cabinet resignation -- Robin Cook goes. Bush gives Saddam and his sons 48 hours to leave the nation or face war. Australia commits troops to war.

On March 19th Bush's deadline for Saddam to leave Iraq or face war expires. Bush announces late Wednesday (Thursday in Iraq) that war has begun after some 40 cruise missiles and precision bombs aimed at Iraqi leaders hit Baghdad and other targets.