I think Bush knew that.

There just had to be some response to 9/11. He had to 'put a bit of stick about' - just show the world you don't do that to America and nothing happens.. Iraq as it was, was a huge convenience to everybody in the terrorist line of busines. Largely unpoliced, largely unpopulated, hugely corrupt, a bloodthirsty fucking idiot in charge, sworn enemy of Israel, no real friends in the Gulf...or the middle east generally.

It was like I said a few posts ago about when Saddam hanged that young Observer reporter - he had been pissing off everybody for years. Times when it would have made sense to be conciliatory - he wasn't. It was a bit like that bit in Richard III when everybody starts edging away from Lord Hastings. he was for the chop - so unfortunately was his country.