US internal politics are fuelling the appetite for war against Iraq

WHILE Ireland's brave political visionaries have been busy crusading against our very own "axis of evil" the FAI and Sky Sports the US government has begun to step up plans for an attack upon its favourite foe, Iraq.

Even as the beat of war drums in Washington and London grows louder, however, the tortuous procrastination of the Bush administration has been as fascinating to observe as its obvious thirst for war. If, and when, the invasion of Iraq does commence January of next year is now being touted as the most likely date it will surely be one of the most long-heralded and openly premeditated military assaults in recent history.

Almost six months have elapsed since George Bush's state-of-the union address in which he pointed the finger directly at three countries Iraq, North Korea and Iran and accused them of amassing weapons of mass destruction and forming an axis of evil.