The List: The Iraq Turning Points That Weren’t

STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP/Getty Images Lt. Gen. Jay Garner arrives in Baghdad

Date: April 21, 2003

U.S. military fatalities to date: 131

Unwarranted optimism: We will be here as long as it takes. We will leave fairly rapidly. Lt. Gen. Jay Garner

President Bush appears beneath Mission Accomplished banner

Date: May 1, 2003

U.S. military fatalities to date: 140

Unwarranted optimism: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. U.S. President George W. Bush

L. Paul Bremer III takes over from Jay Garner

Date: May 11, 2003

U.S. military fatalities to date: 148

Unwarranted optimism: The coalition provisional authority, led by Ambassador Bremer, has a comprehensive strategy to move Iraq toward a future that is secure and prosperous. George W. Bush

Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) announces Iraqi Governing Council

Date: July 13, 2003

U.S. military fatalities to date: 225

Unwarranted optimism: The establishment of the Iraqi Governing Council is an important step forward in the ongoing transition from ruthless dictatorship to a free and democratic Iraq with Iraqis determining their own future. We look forward to working with the Council as it moves toward a democratic and prosperous Iraq, at peace with its neighbors. George W. Bush

Photo by U.S. Army via Getty Images U.S. forces kill Uday and Qusay Hussein

Date: July 22, 2003

U.S. military fatalities to date: 238

Unwarranted optimism: While there is still much work to do in Iraq, the Iraqi people can see progress each day toward a better and more prosperous future for their country. White House statement

U.S. forces capture Saddam Hussein

Date: December 13, 2003

U.S. military fatalities to date: 463

Unwarranted optimism: Iraqs future, your future, has never been more full of hope. The tyrant is a prisoner. The economy is moving forward. You have before you the prospect of a sovereign government in a few months. L. Paul Bremer III, head of the CPA

Iraqi Governing Council completes Transitional Administrative Law

Date: March 8, 2004

U.S. military fatalities to date: 557

Unwarranted optimism: The adoption of this law marks a historic milestone in the Iraqi peoples long journey from tyranny and violence to liberty and peace. While difficult work remains to establish democracy in Iraq, todays signing is a critical step in that direction. George W. Bush

White House U.S. transfers sovereignty to Iraqi interim government

Date: June 28, 2004

U.S. military fatalities to date: 858

Unwarranted optimism: Let freedom reign! George W. Bush, writing on a napkin

Iraq holds elections for Transitional National Assembly

Date: January 30, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,438

Unwarranted optimism: Across Iraq today, men and women have taken rightful control of their countrys destiny, and they have chosen a future of freedom and peace. George W. Bush

CEERWAN AZIZ/Getty Images Ibrahim al-Jaafari forms new Iraqi government

Date: April 28, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,580

Unwarranted optimism: The United States is confident that the new government will meet these challenges in the months ahead, and America will stand by Iraq, its leaders, and the Iraqi people as they continue their work to establish a stable, peaceful, and democratic Iraq. George W. Bush

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney declares insurgency in last throes

Date: May 30, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,665

Unwarranted optimism: The level of activity that we see today from a military standpoint, I think, will clearly decline. I think theyre in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency. Dick Cheney

Cindy Sheehan camps out in Crawford, Texas

Date: August 6, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,834

RONALD MARTINEZ/Getty Images Unwarranted optimism: The vigils [organized by MoveOn.org in support of Sheehan] were something we hadnt seen in quite some time. It was a turning point, I think. Todd Gitlin, professor of journalism and sociology at Columbia University

Iraqis ratify new constitution

Date: October 15, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,977

Unwarranted optimism: Just 30 months removed from the rule of a dictator, and nine months after they first elected their own leaders, the Iraqi people are resolving tough issues through an inclusive political process. And this process is isolating the extremists who wish to derail democracy through violence and murder. George W. Bush

U.S. Rep. John Murtha calls for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq

Date: November 17, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,083

Unwarranted optimism: I believe before the Iraqi elections, scheduled for mid-December, the Iraqi people and the emerging government must be put on notice that the United States will immediately redeploy. All of Iraq must know that Iraq is free. Free from United States occupation. I believe this will send a signal to the Sunnis to join the political process for the good of a free Iraq. Rep. John Murtha

White House releases National Strategy for Victory in Iraq

Date: November 30, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,113

Unwarranted optimism: As we make progress toward victory, Iraqis will take more responsibility for their security, and fewer U.S. forces will be needed to complete the mission. George W. Bush

CEERWAN AZIZ/Getty Images Iraqis elect new Iraqi Assembly

Date: December 15, 2005

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,155

Unwarranted optimism: The last two weeks have been critically important and I believe may be seen as a turning point in the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism. U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman

Nuri al-Maliki sworn in as new Iraqi prime minister

Date: May 20, 2006

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,455

Unwarranted optimism: We believe this is a turning point for the Iraqi citizens, and its a new chapter in our partnership. George W. Bush

The choice of Maliki is a good step in the right direction. Hes an Iraqi patriot. Hes a strong leader. U.S. Amb. Zalmay Khalilzad

[O]ur security forces will be capable of taking over the security portfolio in all Iraqi provinces within one year and a half. Nuri al-Maliki

U.S. forces kill Abu Musab al-Zarqawi

Date: June 7, 2006

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,490

Unwarranted optimism: Zarqawis death is a severe blow to al Qaeda. Its a victory in the global war on terror, and it is an opportunity for Iraqs new government to turn the tide of this struggle. George W. Bush

Iraqi national security advisor calls for U.S. troop drawdown

Date: June 20, 2006

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,510

Unwarranted optimism: We envisage the U.S. troop presence by years end to be under 100,000, with most of the remaining troops to return home by the end of 2007. Mowaffak al-Rubaie, Iraqs national security advisor

MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images Iraq drifting sideways, U.S. Sen. John Warner warns

Date: October 6, 2006

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,740

Unwarranted optimism: Warners statement is an important, important statement and, I hope, a turning point. U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden

Iraq Study Group publishes report

Date: December 6, 2006

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,925

Unwarranted optimism: Even if its proposals dont succeed, Baker-Hamilton can still accomplish its purpose, to enable the United States to begin to move its combat forces out of Iraq responsibly. David Ignatius, Washington Post columnist

Robert Gates replaces Donald Rumsfeld as U.S. secretary of defense

Date: December 18, 2006

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,953

Unwarranted optimism: [T]he pragmatists have won the battle for the presidents attention. Now lets see how the president responds, and what, together with the Democrats, they can do about Iraq. Howard Fineman, chief political correspondent at Newsweek

Iraqi government hangs Saddam Hussein

Date: December 30, 2006

U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,999

AFP/Getty Images Unwarranted optimism: Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraqs course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror. George W. Bush

110th Congress convenes

Date: January 4, 2007

U.S. military fatalities to date: 3,005

Unwarranted optimism: Newly empowered Democrats plan to start the next congressional session with a head-on challenge to President Bushs Iraq war policy, seeking to push the Bush administration to start troop withdrawals by mid-2007, party leaders said yesterday. Rick Klein of the Boston Globe

President Bush announces troop surge strategy for Iraq

Date: January 10, 2007

U.S. military fatalities to date: 3,016

Unwarranted optimism: This new strategy will not yield an immediate end to suicide bombings, assassinations, or IED [improvised explosive device] attacks. Yet over time, we can expect to see Iraqi troops chasing down murderers, fewer brazen acts of terror, and growing trust and cooperation from Baghdads residents. When this happens, daily life will improve, Iraqis will gain confidence in their leaders, and the government will have the breathing space it needs to make progress in other critical areas. Most of Iraqs Sunni and Shia want to live together in peaceand reducing the violence in Baghdad will help make reconciliation possible. George W. Bush

ERIK DE CASTRO/AFP/Getty Images Gen. David Petraeus takes command in Iraq; the surge begins

Date: February 10, 2007

U.S. military fatalities to date: 3,124

Unwarranted optimism: People want to live in peace; they want to grow up in a peaceful environment. And the decision I made is going to help the Iraqi government do that. George W. Bush

U.S. House passes resolution condemning surge in Iraq

Date: February 16, 2007

U.S. military fatalities to date: 3,135

Unwarranted optimism: The passage of this legislation will signal a change in direction in Iraq that will end the fighting and bring our troops home safely and soon. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar calls for troop reductions in Iraq

Date: June 25, 2007

U.S. military fatalities to date: 3,568

Unwarranted optimism: When we finally end this warand the history books are writtenI believe that Senator Lugars words yesterday could be remembered as a turning point. U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, Senate majority leader

New York Times calls for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq

Date: July 8, 2007

U.S. military fatalities to date: 3,608

ALEX WONG/Getty Images News Unwarranted optimism: It is time for the United States to leave Iraq, without any more delay than the Pentagon needs to organize an orderly exit. New York Times editorial

Sen. John Warner calls on President Bush to withdraw some troops

Date: Aug. 23, 2007

U.S. military fatalities to date: 3,727

Unwarranted optimism? John Warner is the single most influential Republican voice on Capitol Hill. This is going to have a major impact, Katie. Bob Schieffer, CBS News Click here to see our complete archive of FP Lists.