http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/2001/12/23/opinion/COMRUBIN23.htm

http://www.msnbc.com/news/677161.asp?0dm=C15SN

Given Saddam's undeniable campaign to acquire weapons of mass destruction, the overthrow of the Iraqi regime, led by massive US aerial bombardment and covert military action, is no longer a question of if, but rather when. There's no question that Washington is slowing but surely preparing plans to apply the Afghan template to the Iraqi situation.

Winning international support for such a campaign as the next (or the third, or fourth) step in the war on terrorism will be a big challenge, even after the impressive win in Afghanistan. The Bush administration appears to believe that initial opposition to a war to get rid of Saddam, especially among Arab moderates, will shift in favor as victory appears inevitable. They'll jump on the bandwagon.

The war to overthrow Saddam must be carefully planned, and the US should not rush in until all is ready, including solid committments from Iraqi dissident forces on the ground to go all the way. Anything less than the complete destruction of Saddam's regime would be a failure.