I have to disagree that there is any proof that Al Quida has ANY ties to Iraq. Why would Iraq fund a terrorist organization that openly stresses Iraq as one of its enemies? It just doesn't make logical sense. Saddam knows, as does President Bush, that if there was any link- a shred of proof- we'd already have the planes in the air. Bin Laden wants Saddam out. Saddam is not religious, enjoys scotch and red wines, is said to like old Western movies, and smokes cuban cigars.. This is NOT an Islamic theocracy in any stretch of the imagination. And that is directly against what Bin Laden stands for- making Saddam his enemy.

On of my professors is a ex-CIA, middle eastern expert. His belief that if Bin Laden, Al Quida or any faction there of was in Iraq, they'd be capped in the back of the head and buried in the desert as soon as they could be caught. It is not in the interest of Saddam to have such a destablizing force within his borders- it threatens his grip on power.

As you said, we have changed to a foreign policy of pre-emption, the so-called Bush Doctrine. IMO, its a dangerous step, but that is our current course. What is Iraq capable of- and what are they likely to do? Not a whole lot. Saddam is a power-crazed dictator, but he is not insane enough to do anything to end his own life. An assult on Israel, which is his only option, is entirely too foolish and he's not really concerned with Palestinians anyway.

As for him getting the bright idea to share weapons of mass distruction with terrorists, which was one of Bushes points last night... Give me a break. Nation states are EXTREMELY tight with such technology. The Soviet Union NEVER once gave nuclear weapons to any of its client states or China (which resulted in the split in relations between the two for much of the latter half of the 20th century). These aren't things you give to Islamic fundamentalists outside your control. It doesn't make sense to believe that is a real threatening option that could actually happen.

IMO, of course.