I was there enforcing that NFZ back while on duty.
Al Qeada got it start and heavily recruited by declaring the “Holy Land” (Saudi Arabia) as being occupied by the Crusaders. Blowing up Khobar Towers was just one result.
It would have been far better had we disposed of Saddam on 25 February, 1991, when we had the chance.
George H.W. Bush screwed up because he listened to Colin Powell who was all flustered by the “Highway of Death” media videos. I was there in the Pentagon when that happened. We were this close (holds finger and thumb almost together) to forcing his abdication at least.
I was in Saudi Arabia during the entire Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield and Storm) and went up to Kuwait a day after the war was over. I flew over and drove thru the Mile of Death and the burning oil wells. It was a scene out of Hell. Saddam's setting the oil fields on fire was reason enough to eliminate him.
I meant to post this early on. Very good article in USA Today by Peter Schweitzer )Clinton Cash author) on Steponallofus.