Going it alone?

The CS Monitor reports that, should the US launch a war on Iraq without widespread support, particularly the UN's, it "would be more expensive for Americans, in terms of tax dollars and likely casualties, even if the effort included some help from a 'coalition of the willing.' The US would also have a more dominant role in forging a postwar Iraq." Another report from the Monitor breaks down how the war would hit American wallets.

The news in the first story is obvious; the interesting question is whether the "more dominant role in forging a postwar Iraq" is seen by Washington as worth this greater price.

Nevertheless, despite the tough talk from Europe at the moment, the London Times reports that the US is quietly gathering allies for a coming war, "many of which will probably reveal their backing only just before the conflict takes place." Even Arab nations are tentatively signing on, according to this story.

The Times report goes on to quote Richard Perle as saying, "There is a lot of hypocrisy at the moment...Many countries do not want to be seen to be openly supportive. Until they are convinced that we are going ahead, they will not reveal themselves.”

This might just be window dressing by Perle -- ie., an unsubstantiated claim that he could be laying out there to temper the uneasiness about a possible unilateral effort -- but I tend to think it's truthful. The US is hellbent on war, and wary allies probably see no way of stopping the assault. So, time to hop on board before the gravy train leaves 'em behind.

A sad assessment, but, unfortunately, not too much of a reach, I think.