Didn't president Bush declare Salt II as nil and non applicable anymore and in a way dropped the deterrence doctrine that worked against the Soviet Union for 40 years? It also works between India and Pakistan.
Why can't it work between the US-Israel group against Iraq?
If Iraq really wants nuclear weapons, the world will know it as it will have to test them. Saddam is a Stalin admirer who is too in love with himself to lead his country to suicide. His country is secular; Saddam executed religious leaders in the past and fought a war against the Shi-ites in Iran.
I've just heard a TV program about what happened in Cuba 40 years ago (Castro being the only survivor among those most directly involved, BTW); a Soviet Submarine had been hit by grenades launched by a US plane that wanted it up on the surface. The Commander had the power to order to launch his nuclear missiles, thought of it, but he knew it meant he'd never see his relatives again, so did not start WWIII.
Deterrence works, and yet, Cadets at West Point are now studying the Pre-emptive attack doctrine for future conflicts and the deterrence one as a thing of the past (absolutely terrifying, IMHO).
There is no reason to drop the deterrence doctrine, unless to consider it isn't required anymore as the US is the sole superpower left in the world, therefore able to decide deterrence isn't valid anymore. But where will that lead?
Now, we see the Islamist networks are far from dead, inspite of what happened in Afghanistan. The Bali terrorist attack means the world must get together and face this new disease, notably through the UN as it already exists. Instead, president Bush is doing his best to undermine this international institution rather than using it to fight terrorism.

Raoull