Sen. John McCain today told a group of voters that he believe Obama would be in Iraq "today or tomorrow." The claim adds a level of specificity to the timing of the trip that networks and reporters have avoided, as such timings are usually kept intentionally vague for security purposes. Here's a roundup of recent media reports:

Associated Press, July 18th

The Democratic presidential candidate will visit the Middle East and Europe, with announced stops in Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and England. The Illinois senator also has pledged to visit Iraq and Afghanistan this summer, but aides haven't said whether the war zones will be part of that trip.

NY Times, July 18th

Mr. Obama's trip is expected to begin in the next few days, with an itinerary that includes Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel.

Fox News, July 18th

Major Garrett: "When he will arrive is a subject of operational security, so we don't know anything about that."

MSNBC, July 18th

This question will inspire even more intense debate after Barack Obama's trip to the war zones in the coming days.

Tonight, Andrea Mitchell, already in Baghdad tonight, reports on the timing and risks and reasons for his trip, and she will include rare interviews from the very men who will debrief Obama: General David Patreaus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker.

Wall Street Journal Op-Ed, July 18th

Barack Obama departs for Iraq as early as this weekend, with a media entourage as large as some of his rallies.

Associated Press, July 18th

Obama's visit to Iraq -- the timing is being kept secret for security reasons -- is expected to be brief and dominated by meetings with Iraqi officials and U.S. military commanders in the heavily guarded Green Zone.

Voice of America, July 18th

No dates have been announced for Obama's visit to Iraq and Afghanistan.

MSNBC, July 18th

Andrea Mitchell, reporting from Baghdad: "Of course the general is not involved in politics at all, but of course also he and the ambassador are going to be briefing Barack Obama and Jack Reed and Chuck Hagel when they get here on a trip, shortly, we are told within some time period that has not been publicly disclosed by the campaign."

Chicago Tribune, July 18th

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic candidate calling for a withdrawal of forces in a 16-month timeframe after his election, is likely to amplify his call for a redeployment of U.S. forces to Afghanistan, where violence has increased - as he embarks this weekend on a tour taking him to both war fronts.

New York Times, July 17th

It is not yet known exactly when Mr. Obama, with network anchors in tow, will be leaving on a foreign policy trip, meant to establish his foreign policy bona fides and sure to draw attention away from Mr. McCain. The trip is expected to begin in the next few days, with an itinerary that includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, a meeting with Palestinian leaders and a stopover in Europe.

New York Times, July 17th

But when Senator Barack Obama heads for Iraq and other places overseas this summer, Mr. Williams is planning to catch up with him in person, as are the other two network evening news anchors, Charles Gibson of ABC and Katie Couric of CBS, who, like Mr. Williams, are far along in discussions to interview Mr. Obama on successive nights.

LA Times, July 16th

Obama plans to visit the Middle East as part of the trip. He is also preparing to travel soon to Iraq and Afghanistan but has kept the timing of those visits secret.

NYT, June 16th:

Senator Barack Obama said today he intends to visit Iraq and Afghanistan before the November election.

ABC News, July 13th

Obama is heading to Iraq later this month for what will be only his second visit to the country -- compared to McCain's eight trips.