When his unpopular war against Iraq entered its fourth year on March 20, it actually was only one of U.S. President George W. Bush's various headaches.

After his protest-rich Latin American tour in mid-March, Bush returned home to a string of scandals in his government. He was put on the spot to defend both the Attorney General Alberto Gonzales against a call for his dismissal because of the "mistaken" ousting of eight federal prosecutors, and Scooter Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, who revealed the identity of a female member of the CIA. The president also had to answer for the exceptionally unhygienic conditions in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the top military hospital, just five miles from the White House.

Nevertheless, the eye of the storm continues to be his Iraq policy. To restore peace in the war-torn country seems far more difficult than bringing down the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.

"The new strategy will need more time to take effect until Baghdad's citizens feel secure in their own homes and neighborhoods," said Bush as he tried to persuade people to be patient during a televised speech from the White House to mark the anniversary of invasion. He asked for additional funding and military reinforcements to implement his newly revised battle plan. "It will be difficult for Iraqis to make further progress toward political reconciliation or economic rebuilding, steps necessary for Iraq to build a democratic society," he added.

However, Democrat House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, was swift with her rebuke, saying the American people "have lost confidence." She warned the embattled Bush that his failed approach would be rejected by Congress. Actually, the House has set about a timeline for the phased redeployment of U.S. military before substantial withdrawal, according to House Democratic Whip James E.Clyburn.

Anti-war demonstrations were widely seen in the United States on March 20 with several protestors being detained.

A poll, sponsored by major U.S. media, showed that only 18 percent of Iraqis have confidence in the Bush administration, while his approval rating dropped nearly to an all-time low. Most Americans are afraid that their family members serving in the army will be victims of violence in further battles.