Nearing the brink

President George Bush’s decision to bring to approximately 430,000 the number of troops deployed in the confrontation with Iraq seems to be creating more anxiety at home than in Baghdad.

The American public has endorsed a purely defensive policy against Saddam Hussein, but it is deeply troubled by even the appearance of a U.S. offensive attitude. This is one facet of the president’s dilemma: How can he convince Iraq that the United States is serious about using its muscle, if necessary, without jeopardizing the broad but very thin domestic support for his policies in the Persian Gulf?

Similarly, the president needs the backing of Congress before resorting to offensive action against Iraq, but again, congressional approval will not come without debate, and public discussion ultimately will define fissures in the solid support for the president’s policy for containing Saddam Hussein.

From the deployment of the first fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, the decision to confront Iraq was risky, but as modern history has taught repeatedly, there is no greater threat to American success in a military venture than a lack of public consensus and resolve at home.

The president needs the support of the people, through its Congress, before stiffening his military posture against Saddam Hussein. The political and human toll will be far lower by first taking the initiative in Washington.