Rumsfeld's made it clear, he beleives there are times when we must take the fight to the enemy. The legacy of WW2, including the international order which arose in its wake, is disappearing. The sanctity given to international borders has been, and still can be, a tool for peace--but it can also be a shield from behind which an active and dangerous enemy can strike.

Massive aggression can be committed without an army crossing a border...it no longer takes waves of bombers or ballistic missiles to devastate a city...or a country.

Saddam is resourceful, hostile toward the US and defiant of international will. His removal from power would be in the best interests of the US, the middle east and the Iraqis in particular.

His history of savage abuse, his hatred for the US, and the possibility that he may cooperate (or be cooperating) with terrorist organizations makes him too much of a gamble to leave in place.