[bonesmccoy]

You are discussing the primary combatants. I am discussing the secondary ramifications of the conflict. Israel appears to want to become a primary combatant. That is silly for Israel to do when the United States, Russia, UK, and, for pete's sake, even the Japanese are participating in the coalition.

While Iraq is paying for the intifada, the reality is that it is the United States who will "decide things".

Coalition development is crucial to the post-war politics. If you don't believe me, ask the people who live in the nations of the former Warsaw Pact.

[El Gato]

Israel appears to want to become a primary combatant.

I don't think so. Rather they don't want to, but feel the way to insure that they don't is to make sure Saddam understands that if he involves them, they will jump in with both boots. War is more like rape than consensual sex or dancing, it doesn't necessarily take two willing parties to tango.