The following reports provide background on the current crisis with Iraq.
Additional materials are available in the Middle East section .
US Forces and Key Aircraft, Ships, and Weapons for Strikes on Iraq A short summary of the present and future US forces in the Gulf, prepared with the help of Barbara Starr. It also provides a summary description of the performance capabilities of each major weapons system that may be used in strikes against Iraq for rapid reference in a breaking crisis. Updated through to December 2, 1998. A detailed analysis of each Middle Eastern state's holdings of long-range strike systems and weapons of mass destruction showing Iraqi capabilities, as well as those of Iran, Israel, Syria, Egypt, Libya and Algeria. Graphs and charts are provided on the damage capabilities of weapons of mass destruction and the possible use of terrorist and unconventional attacks.