March 21, 2003 - National Review's James S. Robbins: Looks like the war may go on a few more days.

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.nationalreview.com/robbins/robbins032103.asp

Did we get him? Was that Saddam on TV? Is it pretty much over already? The war-opening "decapitation" strike on senior Iraqi leadership elements was a bold and unplanned action, an opportunity shot that apparently disrupted planning on both sides. With resistance crumbling on the battlefield, little evidence of counter-moves by Iraq as Coalition forces drive deep into the desert, and members of the Special Republican Guard (Saddam's most loyal troops) negotiating terms for surrender, Operation Iraqi Freedom seems on the verge of living up to its name. Saddam Hussein is either dead, incapacitated, or gone so far underground that he has effectively lost command and control of his forces. Talk about shock and awe, I think this made the point. snip

But beyond logic and utility, targeting dictators is a moral approach to war. If it must be fought, this is a very humane way to do it. No innocent Iraqis should be killed by Coalition arms in pursuit of their liberation. Some probably will be, but striking at the leadership decreases the probability that innocents will die. In fact, it limits both civilian and military casualties, on both sides. And if successful, it ends war quickly, which also spares lives and decreases destruction overall. It is much more humanitarian than resorting to mass slaughter on the battlefield, or destroying the infrastructure of cities and creating tens of thousands of refugees. snip

Events will hopefully clarify over the coming hours. If the decapitation strike missed Saddam, it may have reinforced his belief that he is divinely protected, as Hitler believed after repeated failed attempts on the life. There is more evidence that he survived the attack. Late on Thursday, Baghdad television carried a cryptic written message from Saddam, addressed apparently to President Bush. "America has been afflicted with you and with your predecessors, who rushed to the abysses of evil before you, and you brought shame upon it," Saddam wrote. "{H}ave you seen and heard what Almighty God promised us and the mujahedin — the power to hold onto right against falsehood to inflict disgrace on the criminals?! What will you tell your people and humanity after all the crimes you committed and those you intend to commit?! What is more important than that is how would you face your people?! May you be accursed and may your actions fail. God is greater, God is greater, and may the lowly ones be accursed." Looks like the war may go on a few more days.


— James S. Robbins is a national-security analyst & NRO contributor.

[unhappycamper]

1. Get off his case.

He's only off by 1,604 days (so far). :sarcasm:

[DFW]

2. Well, geologically speaking, it's a realtively short time......