The US launched a heavy military strike against Iraq after the UN inspectors stated that Iraq was not cooperating with them to their satisfaction. The military action has been given the brandname "Desert Fox" (presumably after much corporate marketing analysis). Mr. Clinton stated that the mission targets Iraq 's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors". [We are expecting some world leader to retaliate with "What about the US's capacity to threaten the world?"].


The attack was launched with Tomahawk missiles and other explosive hardware. The President's spokesman Joe Lockhart said the military strikes were " substantial". Defence Secretary William Cohen has said that the strikes would continue for "as long as needed".

Coincident with the news of the attack, members of Congress started meeting to discuss postponement of the intended impeachment vote until at least next week, now that the president has ordered a strike against Iraq. For countries that are sworn enemies of the US, Afghanistan and Iraq have, in recent history, generously delivered President Clinton from severe crises in the nick of time.

The US officials have been reported to have asserted that an attack during the month of Ramadan would have "incurred the wrath of Arab and Muslim nations". A government worker in Iraq commented: "It seems that Clinton wants to kill some people in a hurry out of respect for Ramadan".