US President George W Bush is making an unannounced visit to Iraq for a meeting with key advisers.

He arrived at al-Asad air base, west of Baghdad, accompanied by US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.

Mr Bush is expected to use the visit to argue his case that the build-up of US troops is helping to stabilise Iraq.....

Now, as then, the surprise trip was shrouded in secrecy because of the ongoing instability.