To the Point

Military Preparations for Shock and Awe in Iraq

Saddam Hussein has thumbed his nose at last night-s ultimatum from President Bush, and the hours are winding down. The next time America sees President Bush, it will likely be when he-s authorized massive force against Iraq. In Kuwait, 150,000 US troops are ready to go. Turkey may reconsider American use of its land or airspace, and France says if Iraq uses weapons of mass destruction, it might join the coalition, too. What if Iraqi troops hunker down in Baghdad for urban warfare? We get an update from Kuwait, hear about -shock and awe,- the prospect for early victory and what it will mean if Saddam gets away, from national security and experts and military strategists from the Claremont Institute, University of Chicago and the Center for Security and International Studies. Making News: Ridge Raises Terror Alert to Orange War with Iraq could lead to retaliation on US soil. That-s pushed the threat advisory alert level from yellow to orange. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge today announced -Operation Liberty Shield.- Cam Simpson, who covers terrorism and homeland security for the Chicago Tribune says to expect an increased presence of law enforcement at airports and other key sites around the country. Reporter's Notebook: Bidding for a Post-War Iraq Contracts for rebuilding Iraq-s infrastructure, its health system and even its schools have already been secretly put out for bid to American companies. The Wall Street Journal reports that the -audacious- plan virtually excludes overseas firms, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations. Neil King, Jr., who wrote the story, says that monopolizing the project could cause delays and -deeper ill will toward Washington.-