In Bush's 'Axis of Evil,' Why Iraq Stands Out nytimes.com
Fleshing things out a bit, the nefarious NYT goes fishing for the news behind the news. As one might suspect, it isn't exactly WMD that's behind it all, except, of course, on the war marketing front.
Iraq's efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction are a grave worry for American policy makers. But that is not the only reason the Bush administration has been drawing up plans for an invasion.
The Bush administration's decision to force a confrontation also stems from its apprehensions about Saddam Hussein's foreign policy ambitions and reflects its low regard for Iraq's conventional armed forces.
Put simply, the Bush administration fears that Iraq's acquisition of nuclear arms would embolden a hostile Iraqi government and transform the strategic balance of power in the Persian Gulf. Military action is the favored option in the hope that it would finally put an end to the Iraqi menace and because American officials are confident that United States forces would quickly prevail.
On a less serious note, elsewhere on the axis:
North Korea is also ahead of Iraq in terms of ballistic missiles. North Korea has deployed the No Dong missile, a medium-range system.
Compare and contrast with this previous sighting of similar technology.
Radar Operator: Colonel, you better have a look at this radar.
Colonel: What is it, son?
Radar Operator: I don't know, sir, but it looks like a giant--
Jet Pilot: Dick! Dick, take a look out of starboard.
Co-Pilot: Oh my God, it looks like a huge--
Bird-Watching Woman: Pecker!
Bird-Watching Man: [raising binoculars] Where?
Bird-Watching Woman: Over there. What sort of bird is that? Oh goodness, it's not a bird, it's--
Army Sergeant: Privates! We have reports of an Unidentified Flying Object. It has a long, smooth shaft, complete with--
Baseball Umpire: Two balls!
[looking up from game]
Baseball Umpire: What is that? It looks just like an enormous--
Colonel: Johnson!
Radar Operator: Yes, sir?
Colonel: Get on the horn to British Intelligence and let them know about this. us.imdb.com |
