[JohnOG]

and how do you explain Russia's position?? Do you really believe that insignificant France is the leader of this anti-American coalition?? France cannot lead anything...never has....
Russia is the Bear behind the curtain....they hold the resources that Western Europe needs...
If Russia were with us....France would wilt like the worms they are....
Sorry folks...Russia is the key here...France is the front-man....a facade held up to absorb our wrath....while Russia's opposition is explained away and apologized for....
Sorry, that's my position, I know its unpopular here... but that's the strategic picture I see.
Thanks, John O'Grady.

[prairiebreeze]

You may just be right.

Prairie

[George W. Bush]

Sorry, that's my position, I know its unpopular here... but that's the strategic picture I see.

I don't think it's unpopular. Just that most of us don't see Russia as doing anything more than trying to get its $8 billion. Still, most of Saddam's recent WMD-related purchases came from Russian or the old Soviet bloc. So you have a point here.

But I think it's hard to assemble evidence that Russia is the leading force here. I still think it's France and Germany and it has a lot to do with control of Europe, not just protecting French/German/Russian revenue streams and the huge oil reserves of Iraq.

[ClancyJ]

Good points. This should be a great warning note to any EU members. This is their future - no action unless approved by the likes of Chirac - which means NO ACTION.