But I'm getting an overwhelming sense that Saddam/Al Qaeda are planning to make the first strike and my hunch is that it will be Tuesday.
Consider:
* The internal opposition leader in Iraq was assassinated this weekend. The leader of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan was assassinated the weekend before September 11th.
* September 11th was a Tuesday. This Tuesday is the 11th.
* September 11th had religious significance to Jihadists. This week is the beginning of Hajj for Muslims.
* I have an invitation to FReep a Clinton official (Bubba himself) on Wednesday. Before September 11th, I planned to FReep a Clinton official (Janet Reno) that Thursday. The speech was later cancelled.
* The Homeland Security folks have ratcheted up the alert warning to Orange, claiming terrorist "chatter" is at similar levels to September 11th.
* I believe the war timetable would have us begin by the end of the month and Iraq is now trying to forestall it with new (and probably false) promises of cooperation. Clever criminals usually attack when they have an alibi clearly in place.
Our troops are massing in the Gulf, preparing to strike. It would be in Saddam's nature to hit first. The real question becomes "where will the strike take place"?
One way for dangerous weapons to disappear from the inspectors is to have them outside the country. Now that it seems clear that Hussein and Al Qaeda are in this together, it would be easy to consider a handoff of one or more of Saddam's mass weapons being spirited outside the country for Al Qaeda to use against us or our allies.
While I'm doubtful that they have nuclear weapons (my guess is they would have used them by now if that were the case), I believe they will attempt to use chemical weapons, possibly on Tuesday.
The four most likely targets would be:
1) Where our military troops are stationed in the Gulf.
2) An American city, perhaps Washington DC.
3) A European city, most likely London.
4) Israel.
I expect the attack will result in significant loss of life and will be meant to weaken our resolve. What it will do instead is force the hand of the French, Germans and Russians to choose sides. It may also determine if the UN is truly a player in this drama or just a sideshow.
The US will have no choice but to respond immediately. While Iraq will deny involvement, Bush will move swiftly and perhaps with the ultimate weapons we have available.
The casualties on both sides will be great and there will be much backlash against the U.S. in the arab world and from our traditional enemies.
Gird yourself and pray for God's mercy. The battle draws near.