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US risks spreading itself much too thinly

The Bali bombing has raised concerns about more terror attacks. Meanwhile, US President George W. Bush was given war power by the US Congress to attack Iraq. To this end, the US has been moving more troops to the Middle East. This indicates that this war requires a large number of ground forces.

But if the US decides to attack Iraq in this way, it must make sure that Iraq is the chief culprit behind terror operations and that most terror organizations are based in Iraq or supported by the Iraqi government.

The attack can only display the US' strength as the world's superpower. For some extremists, Iraq's failure might only strengthen their resolve to take revenge, instead of deterring their acts. If the US dispatches a large number of armed forces to the Persian Gulf, a big gap will likely be left in its "homeland defense."

During the Gulf War, financial assistence from many countries greatly lightened the burden on the US war chest. But now it seems only the UK would send troops. The proposed war is not because Iraq is invading another country as in 1991, but because the Baghdad government is believed to possesses a large number of weapons of mass destruction. But Iraq is not the only nation that has such weapons. China is also on the list. It is hard for the US to justify itself if it merely attacks Iraq.

Moreover, if Iraq really owns weapons of mass destruction and if Hussein really is an evil tyrant whom the US is determined to dethrone, who can promise that Bagdad would not use these weapons against the US military in a battle of life and death?

US military strength is on more precarious footing than in 1991. It has less international support, its war preparations are less sufficient and the situation facing the US is more complex. On the contrary, Iraq has beefed up its strength and possible threats of nuclear and biological weapons exist. If the war effort becomes foiled or if the US suffers grave casualties, terrorists will relish in it and claim victory.

In light of anti-terror and military considerations, attacking Iraq now is not the best choice.

Chang Kuo-cheng is former deputy director of the DPP's Chinese Affairs Department.

Translated by Jackie Lin
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