Can They Strike Back?

U.S. war planners believe the battle will go quickly. But Saddam or al-Qaeda may respond in ways that could prove catastrophic--over there and here at home

The nightmare scenario unfolds like this: Shortly after U.S. forces invade Iraq, Saddam Hussein realizes that the end is nigh. Faced with imminent defeat and near certain death, Saddam decides to authorize one final, gruesome act of terror. He plucks a loyal operative from his security service and orders germ scientists to inject him. The operative is slipped out of the country and put on a commercial airliner bound for the U.S. Dozens of passengers within spitting distance of the Iraqi agent are unknowingly infected. Just as U.S. troops arrive in Baghdad, thousands of American civilians begin experiencing fever, nausea and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!