Think about how long and how much we've talked about, and the press has billions of gallons of ink on, the supposed war on Iraq. Last spring, the "imminent" war on Iraq was the reason why we placated and appeased Arafat after the bloody strings of [now forgotten] bombings. Remember the Powell mission?
Since then, the "imminent" war on Iraq has been the stated reason for every action which compromises with Palestinian terror or other so-called "friendly" states in the Islamic world -- from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia to Kuwait to Jordan.
At this point all I can say is: What war on Iraq??? We're less likely to attack now or in the forseeable future than we were a year ago.
The war that is the explanation for everything is the war that never happens. It's weird.
Somehow, I have to think that it's more of a go-along-to-get-along philosophy and a fear over shaking the economy that is driving events, not any supposed war on Iraq.
I'm not so sure about that.
I think the delay has more to do with our limited resources and the requirement to get all the pieces on the chessboard before making the final assault on the King.
IMHO, one of the major reasons is the production and availability of the smallpox vaccine. When it's ready, we can launch. Otherwise, Saddam has the capability of a "Checkmate" by using his stocks of this and taking the world down with him. If the civilized West were hit with this, the result would be worse for the more civilized countries. It would be the great world civilization-leveler. America, Europe and Japan would be destroyed economically and organizationally as well as physically. Saddam would win by default, even if he were dead.
I have seen reports his troops have already been vaccinated for the disease. Ours haven't, yet, but will be by year-end, supposedly. I think that is the final piece to watch be put in place before we move on his castle.