Has the countdown to war already started? Is war with Iraq inevitable? Nothing is inevitable when it comes to war, but all signs reveal war is in our future - the near future.

This will be the second Persian Gulf War since 1991 when the United States led an attack against Iraq in Kuwait.

During his State of the Union address Jan. 28, President Bush discussed Iraq's failure to comply with mandates requiring Iraq to disarm. Bush said Saddam Hussein agreed to disarm 12 years ago, but has violated that agreement.

Despite the fact that United Nations Security Council members and key U.S. allies France, Germany and Russia have made it clear they will not support war without a "smoking gun," the Bush administration says the United States will disarm Iraq by force alone if no one rallies to our side.

The Bush administration maintains that Iraq has violated Resolution 1441, which requires Iraq to disarm all weapons of mass destruction or face "serious consequences." The resolution gives U.N. weapons inspectors complete access to Iraq.

A full report by the U.N. inspectors disclosed little evidence of Iraq possessing chemical or biological weapons. During investigations in Iraq, inspectors located 16 empty warheads previously ordered to be destroyed under 1991 mandates. Iraq claims these warheads slipped through the destruction process. However, Iraq is not able to provide evidence of destroying any weapons.

France, Russia and the U.S. Democratic Party say the Bush administration has not provided substantial evidence to pursue a war. France and Russia are permanent members of the Security Council and have veto power over resolutions.

The Democratic Party recommends that the president continue to work with Congress to ensure proper handling of war prospects. Democrats are worried the United States is alienating its allies. They believe Bush has a negative attitude towards Iraq and suggest he may have a personal investment in a war against Iraq because of ties with the oil and energy industry.

Iraq is the second largest oil reserve in the world.

Anti-war supporters insist war with Iraq is a problem that concerns the world, not only the American people. European allies believe the inspectors should have more time to search for chemical and biological weapons. Their argument is that the inspection process is working and, with more time, the facts will be revealed.

Bush administration supporters believe military action against Iraq is necessary to halt the production and use of weapons of mass destruction. Bush supporters feel diplomacy has been exhausted, leaving war as the only option.

The Bush administration believes Hussein has connections to the al-Qaida network, which is responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks. Hussein is suspected of harboring terrorists - specifically al-Qaida members.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll found that the American people have growing doubts about pursuing a war with Iraq. Seven in 10 Americans believe U.N. inspectors should have as much as three more months to search for weapons in Iraq. American people are concerned about the possibility of war because our economy is viewed as weak, we have limited support from our allies, and, in the event of war, we could be divided against an Arabic nation.

Immediately following Bush's State of the Union address, polls showed a shift in favor of war with Iraq.

Let's be honest with ourselves and stop clinging to the hope that Hussein does not have biological or chemical weapons or that he is complying with Resolution 1441. Hussein has a history of deceit. He uses weapons on his own people to control them. He has been caught with weapons of mass destruction and programs to continue production of these weapons.

Iraq claims to have destroyed 25,000 doses of anthrax, along with other toxins, but can provide no proof of this action. Meanwhile, the Bush administration has evidence of Iraq seeking uranium from Africa, Iraqi intelligence officers posing as scientists to U.N. inspectors, and Iraqi officers hiding evidence of weapons by shredding documents.

True, inspectors have found up to 16 empty warheads designed to carry deadly chemical gases, but only from intense investigation, not from the cooperation of Hussein. Where are the other 29,984 warheads that were supposed to be destroyed with these 16 warheads? In fact, Iraq has blocked U.N. weapons inspectors from using U-2 surveillance airplanes from flying over Iraqi territory in search of weapons of mass destruction.

Although skepticism is high about the use of military force in Iraq, top U.S. officials believe attitudes will change when the facts are revealed. Bush did not offer any new evidence in his State of the Union address about Iraq's possessing weapons of mass destruction, but Bush did promise evidence exists and will be available to the public soon.

Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to hold a "special" Security Council session Feb. 5 to provide supporting facts of Iraq's weapons programs and links to the al-Qaida terrorist group.

The Bush administration is seeking international support for war, but is prepared to proceed alone if necessary. Bush is expected to make an announcement in the coming weeks on a deadline for war with Iraq.

Only two scenarios could prevent the United States from going to war with Iraq: Saddam Hussein's exile or his voluntary disarming of weapons of mass destruction. Given Hussein's past record, war with Iraq is likely. The American people should brace for war.

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