[astounded]

While I understand this is DEBKA, I still have an underlying fear in the back of my mind that we are being drawn into a trap slowly but surely. I fear especially that when we get all our forces to the other side of the Euphrates and Tigris that Saddam will blow the bridges behind us and let loose with NBC weapons - in particular nuclear. He also could inundate the floodplains by destroying the upstream dams - pinning us down to be picked apart by NBC and conventional artillery.

Is that far-fetched? Probably yes - in particular it ignores our air supremacy - but we just don't know the extent of their weaponry. The so-called "elite" republican guard is no match for conventional US forces, heavy armor in particular. NBC weapons are the "great equalizer" in concert with a degree of ruthlessness not seen since the Waffen SS in Eastern Europe - truly frightening. We were too light from the beginning and are too light right now. We need the 1st AD, 4th ID, and another USMC division to take care of the irregulars.

[Mihalis]

You've highlighted the worst case scenario which, I think, should not be ignored. It's probably the main reason for the slow and cautious advance.

[John H K]

And how are those bridges "blown" after we are over them, pray tell?

The bridges are carefully inspected by combat engineers, and then permanently guarded.

The Iraqis have absolutely nothing capable of destroying them other than their own engineers spending hours wiring them. They're not going to get control of them again.

Nobody believes Iraq currently has nukes, and you greatly overrate the combat effectiveness of chemical weapons.

The idea of a "trap" is pure silliness.

The best "trap" is to blow the bridges before we get there and try a chem attack on the forces piled up behind them and the forces building a new bridge. Not to leave the bridge up.

[F16Fighter]

"I still have an underlying fear in the back of my mind that we are being drawn into a trap slowly but surely. I fear especially that when we get all our forces to the other side of the Euphrates and Tigris that Saddam will blow the bridges behind us and let loose with NBC weapons - in particular nuclear."

I've been thinking the same thing...

In fact Saddam thinks so little of ANY human being, including fellow Iraqis, I fear he'd wait until our troops were amidst Baghdad proper before detonating whatever nuclear cache he may have been hiding.

[Wyatt's Torch]

I fear especially that when we get all our forces to the other side of the Euphrates and Tigris that Saddam will blow the bridges behind us and let loose with NBC weapons - in particular nuclear.

My fear as well. Though, if he does this, all bets are off. I would also have to believe that we would be attempting to disarm any explosives on the bridges once we crossed them as well as providing air cover for those on escape routes.

I do fear that he will unleash a final, desperate, attck of some sort of WMD. How and when ins the question. With their insane belief in martyrdom, our leaders have to see this as a likely act.