Airstrip One

Hedging the bets

John Simpson has "a nasty feeling that the doomsayers on Iraq may be right". Now I don't share in Mr Simpson's feelings - personally I think that the Iraqi army has proven itself to be ineffective and unless the Americans advertise any intention to slaughter the population of Iraq then most Iraqi troops will see the war as a fight for the political life of Saddam. No, it's the occupation that will get bloody.

However, just in case the invasion doesn't go so well - here's one reason why.