Bombing Begins

The bombing that had been expected by many observers to precede the advance of ground troops is now underway. I assume this means that the hoped-for quick collapse of the regime has not yet taken place. When asked whether the bombing indicated no agreement had been reached with the Iraqi military on surrendering, Donald Rumsfeld answered: “That’s for sure.” Still no definitive word on Saddam himself, although American officials say they are operating on the assumption that he is alive.
Here, a Tomahawk missile is fired from the USS Mobile Bay, which flies a banner that says “We Shall Never Forget.”

Below, Baghdad buildings burn during tonight’s bombing.