Lessons of the Gulf War

Ten years ago a coalition of armed forces led by American troops launched an air strike against Baghdad. Diplomacy and sanctions had failed to move Saddam from his illegal occupation of a neighboring country, so America and its allies prepared for war.

Most of the Democrats on Capitol Hill vehemently opposed the effort. But President George Bush had declared that the conquest of Kuwait "will not stand" -- and he meant it.

Six weeks later, it was all over. Saddam's forces had been routed and Kuwait was liberated as Iraqi troops fled for their lives.

The allies had achieved their short-term objective. But the Iraqi dictator had been allowed to survive, his regime intact. In the decade since, that regrettable decision not to finish the job and topple Saddam has had long-term -- dangerous -- ramifications.

Several of those who led the allies to victory take office on Saturday, including Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell and Vice President-elect Dick Cheney. After eight years of the Clinton-Gore team's neglect of the military, that's a welcome development. But the incoming officials include some who sought not to push the war to its logical - and necessary - conclusion. And that's far from reassuring.

Saddam's ultimate survival is the fruit of an initial mistake compounded by eight years of neglect and visionless strategy. That he remains a threat on the 10th anniversary of the Gulf War is something the next Bush administration will have to contend with.

-- The New York Post