Saddam has 48 hours to leave Iraq or military conflict.

[Brad75]

Any one ever heard of the "Reaganites" and the role Donald Rumsfield and Paul Wolfowitz (the number two man in the Pentagon) played in writing a US Defense Doctrine in the late eighties. The Doctrine spells out how all of this is playing out in the world today. Scary when you research it. I can only imagine the things said behind closed doors when the state department and the defense department meet. The difference in opinions on world affairs with these two agencies is unbelievable. From what I have read, the Doctrine spells out how the US should take a firm role in ensuring deplomatic goverments are created all over the world. In Iraq's case, I think action is warranted.

By the way, I have deleted tons of stuff from this post as I am typing because it is misleading. So I'll just stick ot the facts. That Doctrine is scary and I hope VP Cheney makes the defense department see the possible ramifications of a US led policy to enforce Democratic Regime changes anywhere else. VP Cheney rewrote the doctrine that Wolfowitz wrote all those years ago, and it was used untill 9-11.

[BillJ]

According to the information that I was able to find, the US secretly supplied arms to Iran during the Iran-Iraq war. This was done to counter the Soviet-supplied arms that Iraq was using (I'm not defending the US policy of supplying weapons to countries, including Afghanistan).

I do think it's important to note that it was Iraq that invaded Iran and started the war, probably expecting a quick victory. Iraq had a large well-equiped army at the time while Iran was somewhat in chaos and the US had stopped supplying spart parts for their American-made fighter planes. Another important point is that Iraq didn't hesitate to use chemical weapons against Iran.

For those that are adamantly opposed to the war: Will it change your opinion if Iraq uses chemical or biological weapons (which they don't have according to their disclosures) against US, British, and Australian troups?

[Nor*Cal]

Heard a report today that there are several countries now backing the Allied Forces. Any confirmations? Other than France saying they would enter if chemical weapons are used who else is joining?

[Cruel World]

I believe the sales of weapons to Iran was in exchange for prisoners. Part of the Iran Contra scandal (Not the Iran Hostage situation in 1980).

I remember watching some reports and reading that the United States was actually more supportive of Iraq during the Iraq/Iran war. The thought at the time was Iraq was the lesser of two evils.

Trying to come to a root cause on why we are here is impossible. It is so complicated. Try unraveling the Israel/Palestine mess some day, you will find a connection between that conflict and the United States conflict with Iraq.

Just think of it this way. There are a billion reasons why this war is happening, with no simple answers or solutions.

[Sean_Brinston]

I herd that there are 45 countries backing the us, but 15 of them do not want to be named as of yet.

[Nor*Cal]

Thanks Sean...

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/abs_news_body.asp?section=National&oid=18614

The 30 countries listed were Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan (for post-conflict only), Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Plus the 15 that wanted to remain unnamed.

[Sean_Brinston]

When they say Korea i Take it it is just the South?

[Nor*Cal]

Yeah one would think just south. Unless they unified while no everyone was distracted.

[Sean_Brinston]

I herd that Canada now says that the 4 ships in the gulf will be used.

[Sean_Brinston]

In Iraq, sorrry