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United Nations

Crisis in Iraq: Expert Warns of Continued Instability Amid Threat of War

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the independent Institute for Policy Studies in Washington and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy on Iraq, warned that the crisis in Iraq is far from over despite last month's deal between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Bennis, who has worked as an analyst of U.N. and Middle East affairs for 20 years, expressed concerns that the continued threat of war has not eliminated Iraq's ability to produce weapons of mass destruction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The threat of war against Iraq has not eliminated its ability to produce weapons of mass destruction, according to Phyllis Bennis.
  • Bennis, a 20-year veteran of U.N. and Middle East affairs analysis, warned that a bombing campaign would not be effective in eliminating Iraq's chemical and biological weapons.
  • Military officials admit they don't know where Iraq is hiding its weapons, making it impossible to select targets in a bombing campaign.
  • At least 1,500 Iraqi civilians would be killed in a U.S. military action against Iraq, making it an "unacceptable effort" in Bennis's opinion.
  • The U.S. insistence on keeping military options open has hurt its standing among members of the U.N. Security Council, who feel the United States is "running roughshod" over the international community.
  • Bennis argues that the Clinton administration's refusal to remove economic sanctions against Iraq is an attempt to protect the interests of U.S. oil companies.
  • The sanctions have killed 4,500 Iraqi children each month from malnutrition, lack of adequate medical care, and other reasons.
  • Bennis believes that the sanctions have little impact on Saddam or his ability to manufacture weapons, but instead hurt Iraqi civilians.

Statistics:

  • 20 years of experience in analyzing U.N. and Middle East affairs (Bennis)
  • At least 1,500 Iraqi civilians would be killed in a U.S. military action against Iraq (Bennis)
  • 4,500 Iraqi children die each month from malnutrition, lack of adequate medical care, and other reasons due to sanctions (Bennis)

Sources:

  • Phyllis Bennis, fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, Washington
  • The Institute for Policy Studies
  • United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
  • President Saddam Hussein
  • The Clinton administration (the article does not specify which officials)

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