This list you give is very interesting, applied to both Afghanistan and Iraq.

-- Direct diplomat threats of intolerable effects, if non-compliance. What do we do for this country that we can threaten to stop? What can we start that this country will find intolerable? Embargoes, interdictions, etc.

Afghanistan: What the hell do we withhold from a nation operating on a medieval level? Mules?

Iraq: Sanctions were indeed placed. They didn't work at all, and everyone except the bastards running the country suffered. The oil embargo became a mass of corruption.

-- Indirect diplomatic threats. What leverage do we have on the country's neighbors, friends, trade partners, etc.

Afghanistan: Who are the Taliban's trading partners? Where are their friends?

Iraq: Most of Saddam's friends were other thugs.

We are apparently hoping this technique works in cases like North Korea. Not holding my breath.

-- Public outcry. Is our cause just enough that the community of nations in general will declare the state an outlaw? Will avoiding this status be compelling to the country?

Both Afghanistan and Iraq were obviously not shaking in their boots about world or U.N. condemnation. In any case, the U.N. generally only condemns America and Israel. It's gotten to be kind of a habit now, and might be hard to break.

-- Send in the spooks to kidnap/assassinate.

This is just nuts. Did you know exactly where bin Laden was hiding? Believe me, special forces looked for him. Saddam was impossible to assassinate even by other Iraqis and his own military. Do you have any conception what kind of defenses against such things these people had?

-- Surgical strike. death from above.

Spectacular idea--send stealth bombers, drop precision guided weapons on carefully selected targets. Hope to God the guy you're trying to kill is in there. Sure wish our military had thought of that during the beginning of the Afghan and Iraq wars. Maybe you were watching TV?

-- Surrender Dorothy. Should only be used as next-to-last resort, since you are bound to follow the threat with an invasion, if the govt. in question does not comply.

Was used on both Afghanistan and Iraq. Ultimatums to the Taliban to surrender al Qaeda to the U.S. Ultimatums to Saddam to resign, and leave the country.

-- Invade, take what we need, and go. (Entebe)

We needed the people who were dangerous to us. In the case of Afghanistan, it was not only al Qaeda, but when it comes down to it, the Taliban. With Iraq, it was the entire Baathist infrastructure. Running in and kicking over the wasps nest and running out doesn't really accomplish anything.

-- Invade, depose the country's govt. and take them on as a ward of the US.

Bingo.

In case you haven't got it by now, we DID ALL THIS. Almost all of it, right down the list. In almost that order. The invasion was the last item. Weren't you paying attention??