Iraq invasion may lead countries to acquire WMD

[struggle4progress]

The Iraq war could incite some countries to acquire weapons of mass destructions to avoid any future invasion by the United States, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said on Wednesday.

The impact of the war - justified by the United States and its allies by the alleged existence of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) - on weapons proliferation and terrorism was difficult to assess but there was a risk it would increase demand for powerful weaponry, SIPRI said in its annual report.

"Potential proliferators may draw the conclusion that the costs and risks of acquiring WMD have increased significantly but they may also conclude that the only way to prevent themselves from becoming the victims of regime change is to develop a credible deterrent," SIPRI said.
<snip>

Bailes noted that the main justification for the war on Iraq, a supposed threat from WMD, "crumbled" later, undermining the credibility in general of efforts to ensure the non-proliferation of such weapons.
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http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=10235

[Kikosexy2]

1. Can you blame them??...

But with no WMDs found in Iraq, who's gonna believe the U.S. anymore?? Bozo Bush and co. have ruined U.S. credibility so badly, no other country is going to want to be allies with us anymore--they're gonna be very skeptical next time around. We're screwed!!

[phantom power]

2. I sure don't blame them

I think it's hilarious how we browbeat any other country that attempts to develop WMD. Gee, could it be because they might feel the need for a deterrent against the US, the country with the largest cache of WMD in the world at our disposal??