Airstrip One

If they've got nothing to hide

Most reporting of the Iraqi refusal to permit weapons inspectors makes it out to be bull headed. So it's nice to be reminded of the way in which the UN allowed itself to be infiltrated by American intelligence. As the New York Times put it:

United States officials said today that American spies had worked undercover on teams of United Nations arms inspectors ferreting out secret Iraqi weapons programs.... By being part of the team, the Americans gained a first-hand knowledge of the investigation and a protected presence inside Baghdad.

Rather pertinent information. Would Israel accept unmasked Syrian spies monitoring Army installations as part of any ceasefire agreement?

(By the way, before any e-mails come in on this - I don't think that Saddam's a nice guy)