Since his "axis of evil" speech, President Bush has had Iraq in his gunsights. It now seems that war is inevitable. The drumbeats are almost deafening. The most powerful nation in history will lead the charge against a country of 22 million people. Iraq, ancient Mesopotamia, one of the cradles of civilization, the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates is about to undergo a devastating assault. Using the tragedy of September 11, Bush has been advocating an invasion of Iraq. "Time is running out," the leader of the Free World warns. What are the bases of the Bush case for attacking Iraq? Is he really concerned about the credibility of the United Nations or the human rights situation in Iraq? Millions of people around the world have been demonstrating against war. They question US assertions and motives.

As'ad AbuKhalil
As'ad AbuKhalil, a native of Lebanon, is a leading expert on the Middle East. He received his B.A. and M.A. from the American University of Beirut, and his Ph.D. from Georgetown University. He teaches at California State University at Stanislaus and at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at UC/Berkeley. He is the author of "Bin Laden, Islam & America's New War on Terrorism." His latest book is "The Battle for Saudi Arabia."