[bonesmccoy]

Doesn't your psychological analysis of Hussein argue that Sharon's comments really are irrelevent in Bagdhad anyway? If Hussein is convinced he's going down anyway, he would rather martyr himself in a jihad against Jews.

I think the probability is better than 50/50 that Isreal will be hit with WMD (probably biological and chemical). For that reason, I am very concerned that Sharon's comments and any Israeli counter would potentially harm US forces in Iraq.

If that happens, it would damage US-Israeli relations for a long time.

[Robert_Paulson2]

If necessary, Israel will retaliate.
American troops will not be harmed.

Israeli/American relations will be stronger than ever...
The arabfascist world will collapse.
Moderate arab states will cheer in relief.
Wahhibist muslims will go under the wheel.
There will be a completely "pacified" palistinian state... with NO RIGHT Of return... and no Capital in Jerusalem.

[The Great Satan]

If Hussein is convinced he's going down anyway, he would rather martyr himself in a jihad against Jews.

I don't think Hussein's going to martyr himself to anything.

I really have no special concerns about our troops in the region, beyond the ordinary concern one would always have for one's own side's soldiers. I don't think they are particularly threatened by Saddam's CBW arsenal, which will more likely be targeted at soft, civilian targets in Israel, Europe and the United States. I expect that, if there is fighting (which remains to be seen), most of it will be done from 20,000 feet, or by Kurdish and other local proxies, much as in Afghanistan.

And, in the final analysis, soldiers are for fighting, which may involve dying -- that's what they are there for, and what they sign up for. The United States gets all worked up over the loss of 50,000 men over ten years in Vietnam. In World War I, England lost over 400,000 men in one battle, so let's keep things in perspective, shall we?