(5 of 5)
Despite the general support that has greeted the initial stage of Bush's buildup -- a TIME/CNN poll by Yankelovich Clancy Shulman of 500 adults nationwide showed that 76% approve of the way he is handling the crisis -- doubts will inevitably begin to arise. Questions about the costs and objectives of the buildup will be asked when Congress returns from its August break. The possibility of heavy casualties, the plight of the hostages, the economy, the federal deficit (now well over $200 billion, including the savings-and-loan bailout) and the belief by some experts that the U.S. may have to maintain a military force in the gulf more or less permanently -- all these considerations are certain to come into play as the stalemate with Saddam continues.
Once sufficient U.S. forces are in place, political pressures might tempt Bush to break the stalemate by trying for a quick military victory. If Saddam's seizure of U.S. diplomats last week is any guide, Iraq is capable of an action so provocative that the U.S. would be forced to retaliate. But war is never as quick, clean or painless as the planners say. Patience and determination might still avert the increasingly inevitable tragedy. Those qualities are in alarmingly short supply.