Clinton Administration Readies Strike Plan Against Iraq Amid Escalating Tensions

Strategic Insights -

The Clinton administration, in its efforts to weaken Saddam Hussein's military and prevent the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction, has readied a strike plan against Iraq. This plan, which could last several days or more and involves breaking strikes with pauses to assess damage, is intended to hit hard at Saddam's military and disrupt his ability to produce WMDs. The administration has insisted that the sanctions on Iraq would be lifted only after Iraq allowed U.N. inspectors to root out and destroy its WMDs, contradicting Saddam's statement that he would accept any initiative leading to the end of stiff U.N. sanctions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton administration's strike plan, intended to last several days or more, calls for breaking strikes with pauses to assess damage.
  • The plan is aimed at weakening Saddam Hussein's military and disrupting his ability to manufacture weapons of mass destruction.
  • The U.S. military buildup in the region is expected to involve 139 aircraft and 24 ships, including the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Eisenhower.
  • The Pentagon has ordered additional forces to the region, with an estimated 44,000 U.S. personnel expected to be on hand in about a week.
  • Democrats in the U.S. Congress have expressed skepticism about the administration's plans for air strikes, calling for a broader attack on Iraq that would include backing an armed insurrection inside the country.
  • Defense officials have confirmed that the forces now in the region could launch an attack, but it would likely do no more than dent Iraq's military and might even invite Iraq to attack Kuwait.

Statistics:

  • 139 aircraft are being ordered to the region to beef up a force of 177 aircraft and 24 ships.
  • An estimated 44,000 U.S. personnel will be on hand in about a week.
  • The sanctions on Iraq have been in effect for eight years.
  • The Clinton administration has established a timeline for conflict resolution, with Saddam Hussein's cooperation with U.N. inspectors seen as key to avoiding military action.
  • The U.S. has assembled the largest military force in the Persian Gulf since the Gulf War, with the number of troops and aircraft exceeding that assembled during the Gulf War.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post
  • The New York Times
  • Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services, 1998
  • U.S. Military forces
  • The Clinton Administration
  • Statements from President Clinton, Secretary of State Albright, and other administration officials
  • Congressional sources, including Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Rep. Bob Livingston.