Newsnight's 10 Days to War

To provide some context for the drama series 10 Days to War, we look back at some of Newsnight's coverage of the run up to the start of the Iraq war.

With correspondents on the ground in the region, experts providing political and diplomatic analysis from London, and key interviews with those involved in the negotiations - Newsnight offered in-depth coverage in the run up to war.

Below is some of the best from Newsnight during those dramatic days back in 2003.

UNITED NATIONS?

10 March: 10 Days to War

Mark Urban reported on the potential damage being done to the UN's authority as US and UK calls for a second resolution on military action against Iraq cause rancour and division.

BLAIR

11 March: 9 Days to War

Political Editor Martha Kearney reported from Westminster on the potential political damage to Tony Blair of not getting UN backing for action against Iraq.

LEGALITY

12 March: 8 Days to War

As a UN agreement looked increasingly unlikely, Newsnight's Iain Watson reported on the legal issues of going to war without full international backing of the United Nations.

BROWN

13 March: 7 Days to War

The then Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown spoke to Political Editor Martha Kearney, defending Tony Blair's position on taking military action against Saddam's regime.

THE FRENCH POSITION

14 March: 6 days to War

Kirsty Wark spoke to French Foreign Minister Dominic de Villepin about his country's stance on a second resolution following President Chirac's remarks that there will be no agreement.

COOK RESIGNS

17 March: 3 Days to War

House of Commons leader Robin Cook resigned from Tony Blair's cabinet as the build-up to war with Iraq gathered pace. He delivered a devastating critique of the government's justification of military action.

COMMONS VOTE

18 March: 2 Days to War

After the diplomacy and the protests came the political vote. Martha Kearney reported on the day when Tony Blair won House of Commons backing for war despite the biggest rebellion recorded against a government and the loss of three ministers.

SADDAM PREPARES

19 March: 1 Day to War

With undercover footage obtained from inside Kirkuk, Robin Denselow reported on Saddam Hussein's war preparations, including blowing up the region's lucrative oil wells.