active duty—full-time service in the military

bunker (BUHNGK-ur) noun—underground shelter from bomb attacks and gunfire

civilian (si-VIL-yuhn) noun—someone who is not a member of the armed forces

coalition (koh-uh-LISH-uhn) noun—two or more groups formed together for a common purpose. The countries that support the U.S-led war, namely, Britain and Australia, are members of a coalition.

deploy (de-PLOI) verb—to spread out or place like military troops

disarm (diss-arm) verb—to take weapons away from somebody. If a country disarms, it gives up its weapons.

embedded (em-bed-ed) verb—to plant a reporter in a military unit

humanitarian aid (hyoo-man-uh-TER-ee-uhn ayd) adjective—having to do with helping people and relieving suffering

malnutrition (mal-noo-TRISH-uhn) noun—a harmful condition caused by not having enough food or by eating the wrong kinds of food

no-fly zone—areas set up in northern and southern Iraq by the U.S. and Great Britain that restrict air traffic. Iraqi military planes are not allowed in no-fly zones as a means of protecting the Kurds in the north and Shiites in the south from attack by the Iraqi government.

rations (RASH-uhns) noun—a limited amount or share of something such as gas or food

reconnaissance (re-COHN-a-sens) noun—a survey of an area to seek information about enemy positions or installations

refugees (ref-yuh JEE) noun—a person who is forced to leave home because of war, persecution, or natural disaster

regime change (ri-zheem) noun—A regime is a government that rules people during a specific period of time. To change the regime is to put a new ruler, or government, in place.

reserves (ri-ZURVES) noun—the part of the armed forces that is kept ready to serve in an emergency. Members of a reserve unit usually have full-time jobs doing something else, but stand ready to be called to active military duty during times of need.

sanctions (SANGK-shuhns) noun—punishment for breaking the law or for unacceptable behavior. One country sometimes imposes sanctions against another country by refusing to trade with it.

troops noun—an organized group of soldiers, scouts, etc.

weapons of mass destruction (WMD) —weapons that can kill or injure a large number of people at one time. WMD can be biological (causing illness), chemical (causing injury or death), or nuclear (causing injury, death, and possible destruction of the environment)