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re: Taking advantage
Elisee Reclus — (archived)

Another interpretation: the troop build-up preceding the invasion was necessary in order to convince Hussein that the US was determined to get satisfaction on this issue. It was, to use poker terminology, a "bluff". The active, last-minute French and Russian diplomacy forced the USA to play its cards. It can never be proven that this was indeed what happened, perhaps Bush was determined to attack no matter what, but the French diplomacy made the war inevitable. The French could have expressed their displeasure, refused to cooperate, and simply withdrawn. In any event, they knew perfectly well they could not stop an invasion, they could only make it more difficult for the Americans.

France is a beautiful country with an advanced civilization,a brilliant people and a magnificent history. But their ability to influence world events has greatly diminished. I believe they resent and blame the US for this, and relish every opportunity to embarass and obstruct American policy.

I also know that the French are a clever people with great experience in diplomacy. Perhaps their policy was designed precisely to provoke the events which eventually transpired, removing the Iraqi threats to their security while simultaneously protecting themselves from the potential consequences. But that is only my speculation.

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