Countdown to War
The world is bracing for impact after Saddam Hussein rejected President Bush's ultimatum last night to leave Iraq within 48 hours. Many world leaders called on Bush to give diplomacy and inspections more time. But France, a vocal critic of the U.S., surprisingly softened its stance a bit by saying it would assist the coalition allies in a war if Saddam Hussein used biological or chemical weapons.


Under a full moon at dawn, a soldier from the U.S. Army's A Company 3rd Battalion 7th Infantry Regiment walks past a line of Bradley fighting vehicles Tuesday, March 18, 2003. (Associated Press)

Spain: No combat role in Iraq war, CNN - Despite siding with the U.S. and Britain, Spain's Prime Minister affirms no combat troops will be sent to Iraq.

US forces around Iraq, Sydney Morning Herald - A breakdown of U.S. troops surrounding Iraq.

Reporting for duty, The Independent - A report on the massive number of journalists from all over the globe converging on Iraq.

On President Bush's speech, SFGate.com - A pool of San Francisco Chronicle readers weigh in with their opinions on the Iraq war.

U.N. Inspectors Look Back in Some Anger, Reuters.com - The evacuated U.N. inspectors voice some frustration over not having more time to complete their task.

Bush charts his own course on world policy, Boston.com - A closer look at President Bush's management of U.S. foreign policy.

The Red, White and True, Newsday.com - Columnist Paul Vitello questions President Bush's plan and offers up his view on this crazy, crazy world.

How long do you think a war in Iraq would last? Post your thoughts and let us know.

First Strike Coming?
War seems more imminent now, with President Bush preparing to address the nation tonight, demanding that Saddam Hussein leave Iraq to avoid armed conflict. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have advised U.N. weapons inspectors to leave the country.

Attorney General's Iraq response, BBC - Britain's Attorney General presents the government's legal basis for going to war.

Cook becomes first UK minister to quit over Iraq, Financial Times - Robin Cook, leader of the House of Commons, becomes the first British minister to resign in protest over the looming war.

Bland words, vivid images wait to nail Saddam's crimes, The Age - A report on war crime evidence being gathered from Iraqi defectors.

Why the U.S. Inspires Scorn, CommonDreams.org - A look at how Middle East nations view U.S. foreign policy.

Truth sinks in on Iraq's streets, The Age - Some descriptions of war preparations going on inside Iraq.

Do you think there's any chance Saddam Hussein would leave Iraq -- or acquiesce in some other manner -- in order to avoid war?

Here are the headlines hitting the wires around the globe this morning:

Azores summit 'last push' on Iraq, CNN.com - U.S., British and Spanish leaders head to the Azores to try and hash out their next move.

Thirty days could be long enough: Chirac, ABC Online - French president Jacques Chirac now says 30 days could be an acceptable deadline to set for Saddam Hussein.

Iraq prepares for war: Country divided into four military zones, Al Bawaba - Iraqi leaders make more adjustments in preparation for war.

Iraq Delays Harm Global Economy, New York Post - An analysis of the economic swings that have taken place during the Iraqi standoff.

Go as you please: Iraq - the unravelling, Barbados Daily Nation - An editorial that preaches taking the middle road.

Do you think Jacques Chirac's 30-day gesture will persuade the U.S. and Britain to wait some more?

Here's a heavier dose than usual of editorials from today's headlines:

Jews and War, National Review

Just the Beginning, The American Prospect

Truth Be Told, The New Republic

Continue backing U.S. on Iraq, The Daily Yomiuri

Legal authority exists for a strike on Iraq, Financial Times

Watershed for World As War in Iraq Looms, AllAfrica.com

Against America? Moi?, The Economist

Interview: Condoleezza Rice Discusses the Administration's Stance on Iraq, NPR

What's your take on the world pulse? Is anti-war sentiment increasing or decreasing? Let us know what you think!

Here are the latest developments this afternoon related to Iraq:

U.S. reportedly one vote shy on Iraq resolution, CTV.ca - U.S. officials believe they may need only one more vote in the U.N. Security Council to back their new resolution.

Tony Blair at bay, The Guardian - A report on the fire Tony Blair is coming under in Britain for backing a war on Iraq.

Turkey's Troubles And How Iraqi Containment Kills, Radio Free Europe - A snapshot of Western newspapers and their reporting on the stances taken by Turkey and other European countries.

The consensus on Iraq, National Post - A Canadian analysis of the motives behind countries that are reluctant to stand with the U.S.

Shall We Go to War?, Mises.org - An exploration of America's history with global conflict.

Postwar Iraq good chance for Japan role, The Daily Yomiuri - Comments from Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone on the Iraq situation.

Even video gamers on the TotalVideoGames.com message boards are getting into the pro-war/anti-war fray.

Do you think the U.S. and Britain will be able to come up with the votes needed for a majority in the U.N. Security Council?

Here are the news headlines that are hitting the Web this afternoon:

US, Britain defer key UN vote on Iraq, The Times of India - In the face of resistance from France and Russia, the U.S. and U.K. have delayed a U.N. Security Council vote.

Iraq forces suspension of U.S. surveillance flights, San Jose Mercury News - Iraqi jets confront two U.S. U-2 spy planes, forcing them to return to base.

Rift over Iraq war threatens old alliances, New Zealand News - An analysis of the discord that's been building up between the U.S. and European nations.

A question of votes and vetoes, Melbourne Herald Sun - A sort of FAQ on how the U.N. Security Council operates.

Iraq War: African States Could Be Wavering, AllAfrica.com - A report on the uncertainty being signaled by U.N. Security Council members Angola, Cameroon and Guinea.

Pakistan says difficult to support Iraq war, Reuters AlertNet - Pakistan, which holds one of the swing votes in the U.N. Security Council, conveys its reluctance to go along with the U.S. proposal.

Iraqi press goads US, Melbourne Herald Sun - A story about the gloating going on in the Iraqi press.

Security adviser quits over Iraq, Melbourne Herald Sun - An Australian senior intelligence analyst has resigned in protest over a possible war with Iraq.

Here's an interesting article from Business 2.0 about the technology of modern-day warfare.

Do you think it's beginning to look like the U.S. and Britain may not go to war without the backing of the international community? Post your comments and thoughts here.

Here's a snapshot of headlines around the globe this morning:

Secret drone 'part of Iraqi chemical warfare plans', London Times - A report on unmanned Iraqi drones, capable of delivering biological or chemical agents, that the U.S. and Britain say Hans Blix failed to elaborate on in his presentation to the U.N. last Friday.

Is Weapons Case Against Iraq Disintegrating?, ABC News - A report from Good Morning America about the authenticity of documents cited by the U.S. ABC has an interactive map of Iraq here.

Russian minister vows Iraq veto, CNN.com - The first strong public statement from Russia that it intends to veto the current U.S./U.K. resolution in the U.N. CNN has a nifty interactive U.S. map showing which military units and divisions are deployed in the Persian Gulf region.

Chretien: Iraq war already won, Canada.com - According to Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, the U.S. has already succeeded in disarming Iraq.

Why Iraq? Why war? Why now?, Asia Times Online - A guest commentary outlining the reasons for a war on Iraq.

The fig leaf of moral impotence, Yellow Times - A guest editorial from a former Iraqi nuclear scientist who refutes President Bush's evidence about the Iraqi threat.

Here's a detailed profile of Iraq fom the CIA's World Factbook.

And here's another blog from Netizen Steven Den Beste about the war on Iraq.

Now, here's your homework assignment: between the two editorials above from Asia Times and Yellow Times, which one resonates with you more? Post your comments here and tell us why.

President Bush presented his case to the world last night in a prime-time speech where he dismissed Saddam Hussein's actions as a "willful charade," and emphasized the U.S. doesn't "need anybody's permission" to go to war. Dissenting U.N. Security Council members, meanwhile, will be listening closely to today's crucial report from chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix on the extent of Iraq's cooperation. Stay tuned to find out about the aftermath of Blix's report. In the meantime, here's a snapshot of what's being reported around the globe:

Bush's New Iraq Warning Spreads Gloom - The Guardian

Iraq strengthens air force with French parts - Washington Times

Iraq military strategies - Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Quagmire in northern Iraq deepens - Asia Times

Between Iraq and a Hard Place - The Harvard Crimson

Saddam's popularity may be waning - MSNBC

Here's an informative overview of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in the Middle East:

Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East - Center for Nonproliferation Studies

And here's an analysis from the Energy Information Administration of Iraq's energy production and consumption.

Hey, all you Lycos Newshounds, here are a few articles on the Web today about the pending war with Iraq:

JDAM the Torpedoes - Slate.com

The price of winning the war and keeping the peace - Christian Science Monitor

Students Ditch Class To Protest War - CBS News

BET's news shows to ask if Iraq war is necessary - Cleveland Plain Dealer

Seen any other interesting articles? Then post the links here!

Iraq Still Trying
After destroying four al-Samoud 2 missiles on Saturday and six more on Sunday, Iraqi workers crushed another six today as Saddam Hussein seems to be stepping up his good-faith efforts. But President Bush still insists Baghdad isn't doing enough, continuing the build-up of military force in the region, now numbering 230,000 U.S. and British troops.

However, many of these troops are now hanging in limbo after Turkey's surprise parliament vote Saturday nixed plans to use that country as a northern front. And it seems previous hints that Turkey might put the measure to a new vote as early as Tuesday have fallen by the wayside.

With such a big monkey wrench thrown into the works, do you think the U.S. should increase its economic aid offer to Turkey in an effort to change its mind?