Iraq: Still a Military Threat?

Over the last fortnight headlines in the Gulf and the West have been dominated by the prospect of a "Gulf War II" As Saddam Hussein moved his troops towards the Kuwaiti border the US rushed 30,000 troops to the Emirate and issued dire warnings of the consequences if Iraq dared to move on Kuwait. Kuwait mobilised its reserves and Britain and France mounted a show of force in support of the country. In the event Saddam backed down, for his pains merely being the subject of a further humiliating resolution from the UN. The drama nonetheless focused attention on the threat from Baghdad. Three years after their crushing defeat at the hands of coalition forces, Iraq's military has rebuilt itself to a level where it can once again set alarm bells ringing in the Pentagon.