Not 12 years. UN weapons inspections teams left Iraq in 1998 after US et al decided to bomb the hell out of them. The US decided to terminate the inspections at that time. And inspections were working, as was evident then and is evident now. Iraq posed no clear and present danger to other countries in the region or elsewhere. And no WMD's used by Iraq when the US/UK declared war and invaded Iraq. Not even Scuds (although initially reported by media to have been used, the reports were officially discounted). And, attacks only directed against enemy forces in neighbouring countries. All fair in love and war. The UN was ready to give Iraq no more than a few months (France and Canada were fully onboard with this - even with 30 days), but the US/UK had so-called dire intel that Iraq was up to its neck in WMD's, and ready to launch a large scale and immediate invasion in the Middle East, or attack on the US. The US/UK has had almost three months and full / unfettered run of the country, but no WMD's discovered. 1000's poring over the country, but nada. Rumsfeld was overheard on 911 saying that they should bomb the hell out of Iraq. As a matter of fact, as soon as I heard of the suicide bombings in New York, I knew that Iraq was next - one of the first things I said to my girlfriend when she woke me up with the news. I didn't know when the US would invase Iraq, but I guessed anywhere between a few months to a few years after 911. No surprises. Iran and Syria will be no surprise either. What will be a surprise will be when. Bush may want to wait until after re-election before he goes ballistic.

At any rate, let's see how this game unfolds over the coming months, and few years. It should prove interesting. Just remember the players (those on the playing board and those on the side, ready to jump in unexpectedly). And remember that the rules of engagement are not carved in stone.

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Cheers,

Dan
Founder and CEO

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