President Bush has asked Congress for the ability to use “all means,” including
military force if necessary, to disarm and overthrow Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. As the Pentagon prepares for a possible invasion, military planners say the most complicated problem they face is Saddam’s likely use of chemical and biological weapons.

Chemical and biological agents

U.N. inspectors found significant amounts of the warfare agents listed below before they were expelled from Iraq in 1998. They suspect Iraq has the following chemical and biological weapons.

Chemical weapons

Chemical weapons release toxic gases or liquids that attack the body. These gases and liquids include vesicants agents that burn and blister the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and nerve agents that interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses, causing convulsions and respiratory paralysis.

Biological weapons

Biological weapons include agents that are living microorganisms, or toxins produced by microorganisms, plants or animals. Weight-for-weight, biological weapons are more potent than the most lethal chemical weapon, and are easier to produce and obtain.

Military

Iraq maintains forces of about 380,000 soldiers, a force 20 times larger than the Taliban. Many of those troops are the same ones the United States routed in the Persian Gulf War. However, Iraq’s Republican Guard, its tanks and artillery survived the Gulf War, and they could represent 100,000 tough fighters.

Saddam history

1979: Saddam Hussein becomes president.
1980: Iraq declares war on Iran.
1988: Iraq and Iran agree to cease-fire.
Iraq suppresses Kurdish rebellion in northern mountains by using weapons of mass destruction on civilian targets, killing several thousand civilians.
1990: Iraq invades Kuwait
1991: Iraq defeated in the Persian Gulf War by a U.S.-led coalition.
U.N. calls for the regime to surrender its weapons of mass destruction and submit to U.N. inspections.
1998 to present: Has not allowed U.N. inspectors into Iraq.

Attack options

Military planners are looking at several options for attacking Iraq.
desert storm light

Would use 250,000 troops, half the number used in Desert Storm, to invade Iraq.
It is considered unlikely that Saddam would allow U.S. forces the luxury of the three months it would take to build up the troops without a pre-emptive strike. It also would be difficult for the United States’ Arab allies to hold steady during that time.

Special forces

Air strikes backed by several hundred Special Operation soldiers, working with Iraqi opposition forces and defectors.

Middle ground

Air power with a force between 50,000 and 75,000 ground troops.

Could likely assemble such a force in two weeks. The numbers would also include at least 25,000 light-infantry troops who can be deployed with their equipment by air.

Weapons stockpile

The United States is boosting stocks of precision weapons that could be used against Iraq. Facts about some of the weapons the United States is stockpiling:

Joint direct attack munition
Add-on to traditional free-fall bombs that make them more accurate, GPS-guided, adverse weather munitions.

Paveway series laser-guided bombs
Paveway bombs are guided to their targets by lasers, either pointed at the target by troops on the ground or from U.S. aircraft above.

Contractor: Raytheon Co.
Length: 10.11 feet to 14.2 feet
Weight: 500 pounds, 1,000 pounds or 2,000 pounds
Wingspan: 4.4 feet to 5.5 feet
Deployed: 1977

Tomahawk cruise missile
A long-range, jet-powered cruise missile launched from Navy ships and submarines. First used in the 1991-1992 Persian Gulf War.

Contractor: Raytheon Co.
Length: 20 feet, 6 inches with booster, or 18 feet, 3 inches without
Diameter: 20.4 inches
Wingspan: 8 feet, 9 inches
Weight: 2,900 pounds, 3,000 pounds with booster
Range: 1,000 miles
Speed: About 550 mph