For two weeks of the standoff, only a skeleton crew of inspectors remained in Iraq. In addition, the world was reminded of the suffering of ordinary Iraqis from seven years of sanctions. Since 1993, the U.S. policy of dual containment has sought to isolate Iraq and Iran not just diplomatically but commercially. And it's not the only one. Pretty soon, the exceptions become the rule.
Experts say dual containment is unraveling for three reasons.
First, it does not have the support of America's gulf war allies, particularly France and Russia. They like to stick their fingers in our eyes. France argues that dangling economic carrots in front of Iran and Iraq is the best way to change their behavior. But self-interest is also apparent. Russian and French firms have also negotiated huge oil deals that will go ahead as soon as sanctions end.