TERROR AFFIRMA: Will Saletan notes that the Iraq/Terror connection is now indisputable:

At face value, these statements dispense with months of debate over covert, indirect Iraqi sponsorship of terrorism. Iraq, represented by its third-highest ranking official, now embraces terrorism openly and directly. Any regime that threatens to “use any means to kill,” “follow the enemy into its land,” “kill 5,000 people” at one time, and take the battle to “all who support” American and British troops—not just “those who wear the military uniforms”—is implicitly targeting civilians. By any definition, that’s the essence of terrorism. . . .

All of which raises two questions. To the government of Iraq: How can Vice President Ramadan’s statements be reconciled with your obligations under Resolution 687? And to the governments of France, Russia, and China: If the statements can’t be reconciled with the resolution, will you honor the resolution and rejoin the war?

Do we have to take the French? We had them on our side last time. . . .