Mc G of H:

I am in agreement with you on all but one point. ". . . his failure to use them [WMDs] demonstrated prtetty conclusively that he hadn't got them to use."

The use of WMDs in a tactical situation opens a facet of warfare that Iraq was not prepared for. US policy has been very clear for decades (ever since MAD): use them on us and the wrath of Shiva will fall on you, because we will use them back. You may be accurate, but I ain't so sure about that. There is a big difference between having a few nuclear weapons and having way far lots. The side with way far lots will 'win' every time. "Where they make a desert, they call it peace." (Tacitus?)