US Marines – A summary of US Marine deployments in the Gulf.

• Washington Post: Sending in the Marines

Military Sealift Command – The 101st Airborne Division’s equipment is about to set sail for the Middle East.

• Washington Times: War cargo loaded on 2 ships headed to Mideast

Royal Air Force – Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft get a new mission over London – communications relay.

• The Times: High-tech spy centre circles London at 44,000ft

Background – Iraq – Thomas Ricks on how US Special Operations Forces are already operating inside Iraq.

• Washington Post: Special Operations Units Already in Iraq

Background – Iraq – The plan to remake the Middle East.

• The New Yorker: After Iraq