And the non-chemical warheads was a (noted at the time) subtlety.

No, I didn't imagine Saddam stupid. But the leaders in question are all hostages of terminal religious pressures within the countries, which care nothing about such 'logic' - but only about Righteously prevailing. There can be only *One* true god = Mine. This is always the root IMhO, despite there being mundane $ considerations as always.

That is why I deem the head-of-State machinations to be about as relevant as in the ballet, The Green Table. Nukes + these ancient afflictions is simply a recipe for the madness which was at least artificially constrained during the stalemate of the cold war.

Apparently we needed that cold war a lot. It provided a mere political ideology to despise: now we are back starkly, to warring gods.


Ashton