As the last American combat brigade leaves the war-torn country of Iraq, things couldn’t seem more ethereal: ole’ G.W. Bush declared the war a success back in 2003, but it’s been a messy seven years getting there officially.

Both The Denver Post and The New York Times recently put together some really engaging photo essays online – really worth your time if you’ve been following the political turmoil (whether for or against) or not.  And who knows you might even learn something… I know I did.

<3 Stephenson