brucie,

One can make a valid argument that the resolution giving Saddam ONE last chance to comply with the UN resolutions WAS a UN sanction of US actions. I think that this is something that is in the gray area, but IMO, the US HAD the UN sanction to resolve the problem when the security council refuded to act in accordance with it's own resolution.

In regards to Sudan, it is my opinion that the US is at least as creditable as the EU or the UN.