'If attacked, Israel might nuke Iraq'

For me, this is one of the first points that needs to be discussed regarding the probable effects of an attack against Iraq. In an article he wrote a few months ago, Paul Rogers put it this way:

While much of their nuclear and missile capability was destroyed during the 1990s under UN supervision, there is every indication that they [the Iraqis] have been working hard to develop effective biological and chemical weapons, and delivery systems. Any attempt to destroy the regime must be expected to result in the use of such weapons. If they were effective, either against US troops or targets in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Israel, then a nuclear response would be likely. This is a harsh reality that must be faced in any analysis of the consequences of a war with Iraq.

For some background on Israel's nuclear capabilities, go here.

Update: Paul Rogers has just written another informative article on Iraq, one well worth taking a peek at.