The Gulf: Fear And Loathing in Israel

Fingered for an Iraqi first strike, Jerusalem steps up its defenses and hopes for a war that would crush Saddam

Israeli military officials fear only one thing more than a surprise Iraqi attack: a diplomatic solution to the Persian Gulf crisis that would leave Saddam Hussein and his war machine intact.

Sound coldhearted? Not as Israeli analysts see it. If Iraq dares to attack Israel now, Saddam Hussein will face the devastating wrath of both Israel and the U.S.-led forces massed in the region. But if Saddam survives and U.S. troops eventually depart, the analysts are convinced, Israel will one day have to fight alone against Baghdad. By then, Saddam may also have nuclear weapons at his disposal.

Saddam's threat last...

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