- the longer this drags on the more of a hero Hussein will appear to those who dislike US influence of Middle Eastern politics (whether they support SH or not) and the more impotent the US itself appears.
- the longer this drags on the greater will become the cracks in the Western alliance. Interesting to watch the effect of yesterdays announcements - the Iraqi announcement drove international stock prices up - the US reaction drove them down again. Make of that what you will.
- The question on everybodies mind? Is the Western Alliance support actually in the middle east strong enough to sustain a drawn out hunt for Saddam which will be seen as the US effectively trying to turn Iraq into a clint state by force without countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt erupting into flames.
Remember - many Arabs will see the US as being there not to get rid of Saddam but to secure control over the oil reserves and prop up Israel. A lethal combination I fear...
