As the debate intensifies on whether to invade Iraq, the Pentagon has quietly positioned its forces to be ready to move against Saddam Hussein in two months.
Although President Bush continued his efforts Monday to rally support for a campaign against Hussein, a military strike is unlikely to happen that quickly, observers said. The administration, for instance, has yet to formally request basing and flyover rights from the dozens of countries that a military operation would depend on.
Unlike the last time it invaded Iraq, however, the military seems prepared to act. The United States has forces, weaponry and supplies to equip 30,000 troops already in the region, while 150,000 or more fully equipped troops that would be needed to mount a full-scale invasion could be routed to the region well before Christmas.
The ability to move quickly into Iraq is not the result of any overt recent moves of troops or equipment.
