After war

The UN is on a "mercy dash" to avert a humanitarian disaster in Iraq following a war, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. In the meantime, the US has unveiled some of its plans for humanitarian relief, but most aid agencies are complaining that they're being shut out of the planning process.

Should the war spawn a major catastrophe, Bin Laden's minions will likely exploit the situation and use it to recruit additional followers.

Also, recent reports have boosted the figure of American troops needed to occupy Iraq. The NY Times reports that "100,000 American troops may be needed in the post-Saddam phase, along with tens of thousands of additional allied forces." Of course, a highly visible American presence will make it much easier for those in the Middle East to accuse the Americans of imperialism. This plays into Osama's hands, too.