Iraq marks 20 years since US-led invasion

The US led a coalition to conduct “​​Operation Iraqi Freedom” to oust Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Iraq marks 20 years since US-led invasion [An American soldier from the 1st Infantry Division walks with a US flag after the changeover ceremony in one of ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's palaces in Tikrit, Iraq, March 16, 2004.] Credit: Murad Sezer/AP/File photo Iraq Iraq marks 20 years since the 2003 US-led invasion, dubbed “[Operation Iraqi Freedom](,” which was declared by then-US President George W. Bush on the premise of hidden weapons of mass destruction that were never found. [The full-fledged invasion]( toppled the country’s President Saddam Hussein. The devastating war and ensuing occupation left hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead, created sectarian strife and political struggles and opened the door to insurgent groups, including the rise and fall of ISIS — as well as war crimes committed by US forces in facilities like the Abu Ghraib prison. Today, Iraq has gotten rid of Saddam, who was executed in 2006, but the public is still wary of the current government that is rife with corruption. China-Russia Chinese leader [Xi Jinping is visiting Moscow]( for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s his first trip since the war in Ukraine began, which is expected to be a key topic during his three-day visit. Xi’s support comes just days after the International Criminal Court issued an [arrest warrant]( for Putin, and as Russia becomes more isolated on the international stage. Beijing is calling the trip a “journey of friendship, cooperation and peace,” as Western nations remain skeptical of China’s role. Taiwan Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou will make a [historic visit]( to mainland China next week. It’s the first such visit since 1949. Ma and his Kuomintang party are presenting the trip as a chance to boost friendly cross-strait exchanges at a time of extreme disconnection. But the move by an opposition party is also likely to [spark domestic political divisions]( with the ruling Democratic Progressive party over relations with China. Beijing claims Taiwan is part of its territory, but Taipei says Taiwan is already a sovereign state. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Guyana’s discovery of oil reserves has the nation split between boosting the economy and preserving the environment]( [Guyana faces risks from climate change that include rising sea levels that could eventually submerge the capital Georgetown.]( Credit: Courtesy of Amy Westervelt Guyana is hoping that newly discovered [offshore crude reserves]( can help transform the country's economy and offset its ongoing poverty crisis. But some people are concerned about what this may mean for the environment. [Art historians debate identity of iconic Mariupol painter]( [A visitor takes in the painting “Red Sunset on the Dnieper (Dnipro)," by Mariupol painter Arkhip Ivanovich Kuindzhi.]( Credit: Melissa Rodman/The World Arkhyp Kuindzhi is a revered artist who was born in the Russian empire. He was from Mariupol, which is now part of the modern Ukrainian state, [sparking a debate]( among art historians: Should he be considered a Ukrainian or a Russian artist? --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot Cuban American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan is set to be the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the [Songwriters Hall of Fame]( in June. 🎤 She's been a pioneer of Latin music, opening the door for other artists who found their place on the US music scene — people like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Ricky Martin. She spoke to The World’s host Marco Werman about her journey. [Listen]( to the discussion. 🎧 [Singer Gloria Estefan performs at the Statue of Liberty Museum opening celebration at Battery Park, in New York, May 15, 2019.] Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/File photo In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.