[meisterbrewer]

As is, the Pentagon is backpedeling on the first story.

I hadn't heard that. Do you have a link?

I just heard the same thing on Fox. Hopefully they did find evidence, but I wouldn't take it as confirmed until it is released in a press conference.

[TheConservator]

I saw those reports. I think characterizing this as "backpedaling" is a little strong.

They are being cautious. What they don't want is to trumpet this as the smoking gun, and then have to come back later at admit that they were wrong. Think of how the press would play that.

Also, one commentator made a good point--one of the reasons the Iraqis may not have used chem weapons yet is that the instant they do, their "plausible deniability" is gone. Therefore, for the US to completely expose this now might have the effect of encouraging Iraqi use of chemical weapons.

FWIW, if I were Saddam, I would be saving my chemical weapons and their delivery systems (remember, there has been no sign whatsoever of an Iraqi air force to date) for mass use at what I perceived to be the critical moment. That might well be the looming battle at Karabala.

I also have the impression that battle may be coming on faster than people realize. I think it has already started (see the thread about the battle between the Apaches and the T-72s). And the ground contact looks to start soon (maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day).

And, if I were Saddam, I would coordinate any big terror strike in the US so that it happened at about the same time. Therefore, I predict we see code red in the next 24-48 hours.

Just some semi-informed speculation.