Cordesman similarly argues that the cumulative effect of these crises could help Saddam. Every time Saddam confronts the United States and survives, every time he shows bravery in the face of American imperialism,' he's won according to his own terms. We narrowly missed killing him at least twice during the Gulf War, but he's had six years to build more bunkers and more hiding places than before. It would be very difficult to even find him. U.S. failure to galvanize European and Arab allies on this issue, which affects them more than it does us, will reduce U.S. credibility in the region for years to come.
Perseverance is required.
Cordesman warns about the cumulative effect of Saddam's intransigence. We should not be trigger happy, but we must not let sanctions fatigue' lead to proliferation fatigue' and a horrifying new arms race in the Gulf.