I never saw the movie, Wag the Dog, only bits and pieces. I have a bad feeling that something like that is going on right now.
All your post subsequent to #7 are Wagging the Dog around the real issue.
Saddam is a seriously de-stabalizing influence in the Middle East situation. So is Iran and our so called friends, "the Saudis".
The only way to peace in the ME is to quiet the de-stabalizers and encourage more Democracy. Turkey has come along way in this regard and the rest will follow if we remove the obsticles.
Iraq tops the list only because it is currently thumbing it's nose at the sanctions and at everyone else. Iran is as much or more important because of it's Islamicist leadership and it's importance as a potential threat if that leadership were to take complete control. Iraq is trying to make that happen.
Bush is well aware of the appearance of the "wag the dog" senario. I believe he is doing all he can to avoid that. If he really wanted to do something like that he would wait until the 2004 election season starts in 2003. Just about 6 months away. Not long to wait is it?
No, I think he is doing it now to avoid that perception.