"In a way, I feel almost like a sportswriter. Having covered Iraq for more than five years, I was wrapping up my story -- mentally, emotionally, socially," writes AFP's Baghdad bureau chief Prashant Rao. "I was due to leave for good in a matter of weeks, and so my match was in its metaphorical 85th minute, my story nearly written.

"Now? It feels like the losing side has suddenly scored three goals and I have no idea what just happened."