“Seven nuclear facilities in Iraq have been damaged or effectively destroyed by the looting that began in the first days of April [2003], when U.S. ground forces thrust into Baghdad, according to U.S. investigators and others with detailed knowledge of their work. The Bush administration fears that technical documents, sensitive equipment and possibly radiation sources have been scattered. If so, there are potentially significant consequences for public health and the spread of materials to build a nuclear or radiological bomb. President Bush had said the war was fought to prevent the spread of ‘the world’s most dangerous weapons.’ ” [The 5th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Barton Gellman, “Seven Nuclear Sites Looted,” The Washington Post, May 10, 2003