A realistic look at the situation in Iraq will show that the sanctions imposed on that country to force its dictator, Saddam Hussein, to stop building weapons of mass destruction are simply not working. Two years ago, Saddam kicked out the U.N. team that was monitoring his weapons production, and there are no signs that he plans to let them back in. Meanwhile, the sanctions are steadily weakening, as is the level of international condemnation of Saddam. Commercial air flights, long prohibited, are now common. Leaders of other nations, including the president of democratic Venezuela, have met with Saddam.
Smuggling is rife, and huge quantities of otherwise blockaded oil are being sold through Jordan.
Meanwhile in Iraq, the rich, including members of Saddam's extended family, are doing just fine, thank you. For them, there is no lack of good food to eat, Mercedes cars to drive and servants to take care of their homes. They blame the sanctions and the United States for their country's problems, not Saddam. Others are not so fortunate. And the poor struggle just to find food to eat.