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U.S. Action Against Iraq in Next Six Months Unlikely
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
(10:53 AM ET)
By Sue Pleming
Reuters

"A September to March time frame would be a more attractive window (for military action), I would think."

WASHINGTON -- Reuters
Depleted stocks of precision weapons, reluctant allies and a will to do the job properly in Iraq all work against America launching military action against Baghdad any time soon, defense and political analysts say.

Speculation has mounted in recent weeks that the United States is preparing a massive military campaign against Iraq, particularly after the president branded Iraq as part of an "axis of evil" with Iran and North Korea.

But several analysts said U.S. action -- if it took place at all -- was unlikely in the next six months for both military and political reasons.

They pointing to depleted laser-guided weapons stocks after the war in Afghanistan and opposition from key nations such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey as well as some NATO allies.

Retired Adm. Steve Baker, who commanded the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier during the Gulf War, said the United States would only attack Iraq when it was certain it had "overwhelming force" to be successful and not before.

"For that reason, I don't see it happening at the very earliest until fall this year or spring next year. Any kind of failure or less than 100 percent success in Iraq is totally unacceptable, particularly to the Bush administration."
(More: iWon.com News Source)
2002 © Reuters, Ltd.

Dan