Setting the Stage. Some wars begin with a bang. Others begin with limited airstrikes and psychological operations to weaken the enemy’s resistance. This war began with both. By Michael R. Gordon. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]
war comment #1.
Today’s comment on the war in Irak: [Adam Curry: Adam Curry’s Weblog]
Straw says force is only option. The US-led coalition had no option but to use force against Iraq, says Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. [BBC News | UK | UK Edition]
Accountability. I’ve written enough about Iraq. There’s nothing more to add, apart from the hope that this regrettable war can be brought to a swift conclusion, with the minimum casualties on both sides. What happens after that is anybody’s guess but one thing is certain: it won’t even vaguely resemble the… [Jonathon Delacour]
Tim Rutten: “Cable news came of age during the first Gulf War. Online commentary — or blogging, as it is known — may have found its moment in this second campaign against Saddam Hussein.” [Scripting News]
Washington Post: “Shortly before 4PM yesterday, Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet offered President Bush the prospect — improbable to the point of fantasy, yet suddenly at hand — that the war against Iraq might be transformed with its opening shots. The CIA, Tenet said, believed it had a fix on President Saddam Hussein.” [Scripting News]
The president has notified Congress….
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH