O.k. Gareth. I suppose any treaty is invalid if obtained by corrupt means, and we decide what means are corrupt. Meaning we get to throw out any treaty inconvenient to ourselves. Things like that do happen in international politics. Hell, people disregard domestic contracts too, and if they have enough clout, they get away with it. I'm a lawyer, I've seen it done.

But putting all these legal considerations aside, it still appears that Operation Iraqi Freedom or whatever really comes down to a smash-and-grab operation. The Iraqis have enough experience to recognize it for what it is, and what follows is likely to be extremely unpleasant for all concerned. And yes, McGrath, you are right, the worse the outcome for the U.S., Iraq, Britain and everyone else, the better it is for Bush. The more horrible the mess he gets us into, the greater his patriotic appeal. Unless he actually loses a war. That's one of the bases of Fascism, isn't it?