Mike, I don't think that "assasination" is the right term for it. The US has stated the goal of "regime change"... eliminating the leader and the apparatus that surrounds him is a good way to do it.
Classic was tactics, as I mentioned before, only impose suffering on the target country (which, if the US wins, for some reason the US pays to rebuild!), and does little or nothing to get the people of the country onto the US's side.
More importanly, that initial strike that takes out "command and control" targets also gives the leader plenty of time to hide out... I am sure it won't take 24 hours for Saddam to go to ground. He will be well hidden within minutes of the first bomb LAUNCHED.
More important for the US, if things aren't settled out quickly, you can expect to see the oil fields of iraq looking like those of Kuwait 12 years ago... aflame, useless, and inflicting economic pain on the US.
Nobody has mentioned, I might point out, the possiblity of poisoning the oil supply, perhaps by nuclear means, to make it worthless for all involved. Not a smart plan for someone trying to stay in power, but an interesting "with my last breathe, I stab at thee" type concept.
Alex
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Let's go to the edge of disaster Push the pedal and go a little faster Let's slam into a wall at ramming speed Let's go to the edge of a mountain Jump off and lets start countin' Hit the ground and tell me if it bleeds
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