This kind of thing is frustrating but it's common in coalition actions. It might explain why nothing happened last night (full moon). As soon as I heard Rumsfeld was leaving to visit the Middle East yesterday, I knew there wouldn't be an attack in the immediate future. Since my link to this article is only good for today, I'll post the full text.

Cracks in allied coalition

U.S. forced to hold off on strikes after 3 key nations pull support

Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- The United States and Britain were close to launching military strikes against terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden and his protectors in Afghanistan until three key allies suddenly expressed reservations, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

In the past two days, the officials said, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Oman have either limited their support for military action or told U.S. officials they cannot back a U.S.-led military campaign.

In an effort to repair the cracks in his anti-terrorism coalition, President Bush dispatched Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on an emergency mission Tuesday night to those three countries and Egypt, two senior officials involved in planning the campaign said on condition of anonymity. It was unclear whether Egypt also had objections. Rumsfeld said he hoped to observe a U.S. military exercise under way in Egypt.

The Pentagon also took the unusual step of ordering the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk to join the operation this week from its home port in Japan without its usual complement of jet fighters and attack planes.

Defense officials said if Oman and Uzbekistan refuse to let the United States and Britain use bases on their territory, the Kitty Hawk could steam into the Arabian Sea and serve as a floating base for U.S. assault helicopters.

The developments came as the United States and its allies amplified the drumbeat of warnings to bin Laden, his accomplices and the rigid Taliban regime that serves as his host in Afghanistan.

Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair each spoke of the "consequences" of Taliban intransigence amid international demands that the militia evict bin Laden and destroy all elements of his al-Qaida terrorist network.

The apparently coordinated escalation of psychological warfare also included a broad effort to share evidence with U.S. allies and an unprecedented display of support from NATO.

"I have said that the Taliban must turn over the al-Qaida organization living within Afghanistan, and must destroy the terrorist camps," Bush said at the White House. "And they must do so, otherwise there will be a consequence."

In England, Blair called the terrorist blitz "a turning point in history" and vowed to remain by America's side "to the last."

"As for the Taliban," Blair said during a speech to his ruling Labor Party, "they can surrender the terrorists or face the consequences....

"We will put a trap around the regime. And I say to the Taliban: 'Surrender the terrorists or surrender power. That is your choice.' "

In Washington, Rumsfeld described his trip as a routine visit to an area of particular interest. He expected to return this weekend.

The trip, however, was not announced until hours before he was scheduled to depart. Typically, the secretary of state would be expected to conduct such a visit, unless important defense issues needed to be discussed.

A third senior administration official said it was unclear if the cracks threatened to seriously undermine the coalition and U.S. military plans.

In any case, military action seemed unlikely before Rumsfeld returns to the United States.

Until Tuesday, said two senior administration officials, the Saudis had agreed to provide everything the United States had requested, including the use of a command center at the Prince Sultan Royal Saudi Air Force Base to direct an air campaign against targets in Afghanistan.

"That's no longer true," said one senior official, adding the Saudis have balked at plans to position U.S. forces there and administration officials fear "that there's something deeper there."

The Saudi royal family has been reluctant to support Western military action against another Muslim country, fearing a backlash from Islamic opposition groups.

Also Tuesday, NATO Secretary-General Lord Robinson said he had seen conclusive evidence of bin Laden's complicity in the terrorist attacks.

In presenting its case against Osama bin Laden to U.S. allies, the administration said some of the same terrorists involved in the attacks have been linked to the East Africa embassy bombings and the attack on the USS Cole.

Two administration officials said this point was part of a presentation made by State Department counterterrorism chief Frank Taylor to NATO allies in Brussels, Belgium.