Every war is fought on lofty idealism. America calls its ongoing military campaign in Iraq Operation Iraqi Freedom. When the first Tomahawks fell on Baghdad, after a massive diplomatic debacle at the UN that saw the Old Europe led by France rallying against American unilateralism, it was thought the "shock-and-awe" strategy of American firepower would ensure a swift and sweet victory. In retrospect, that was an exaggerated hope, a hangover perhaps from their virtually casualty-free victory in Afghanistan. After seven days in Iraq, the American troops are in for a reality shock: the road to liberation, read the fall of Baghdad, is treacherous and it's going to be a messy war, and nobody, most notably President George W. Bush, is talking about quick results.

FROM THE FRONTLINE: Senior Photographer Sharad Saxena (left) and Chengappa (right) with a coalition soldier in Iraq

Still, the most pertinent question at the moment is: how long? The answer, ironically, is another question: how long will it take for Baghdad to fall? As the US forces head towards the Iraqi capital for a decisive battle with the dictator's chosen army, the Republican Guard, there are no easy answers-as there are no easy victories. As the world's only superpower and the world's deadliest dictatorship move closer to an encounter that would change the balance of power in the Middle East, we are once again in for those familiar images from hell: civilian casualty, the so-called collateral damage, bloody streets and body bags.

And once again, India Today is reporting this war from the frontline. Executive Editor Raj Chengappa, stationed in Kuwait City, gives a strategic and military overview. As I write this, he is somewhere in southern Iraq, getting a closer view of the battle. Craig Nelson, one of the few journalists left in Baghdad, gives an exclusive account of a city that is already under siege.

The other war, the kind of war the world should have more of, just ended in South Africa. Despite our humiliating defeat in the World Cup final, the future of Indian cricket has never looked brighter, according to Associate Editor Sharda Ugra who spent 45 days following the fortunes of the Indian team. She now believes this is a new generation team that will do us proud in the coming years. Amidst all the despondency that is something to cheer about.