S P E C I A L:

The Standoff with Iraq

U.S. in stronger position in targeting Iraq

A soldier examines surveillance photos

February 14, 1998
Web posted at: 5:42 p.m. EST (2242 GMT)

From Correspondent Carl Rochelle

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- One of the most vivid images from the 1991 Gulf War was the sight of Tomahawk cruise missiles snaking through the streets of Baghdad to their targets. If the United States attacks Iraq again, it is a scene likely to be repeated.

But military experts say they are in a much stronger position now than in 1991 to find and hit targets inside Iraq in a way that will hurt Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's ability to operate.

Officials say the big difference is the speed at which target information collected by spy planes, satellites and reconnaissance flights can be passed on before the Iraqis can move or hide.

CNN's Carl Rochelle tells us the that U.S. military intelligence is much better and more focused than it was in 1991.

"The biggest thing that we have today that aids in that intelligence support is a greatly increased capacity to transmit information to and from ships at sea and to and from joint operational centers," said Rear Admiral Carlos Johnson of the U.S. Navy.

Ironically, U.N. weapons inspectors, whose lack of access prompted the current crisis, have provided data that could be extremely valuable in the search for weapons of mass destruction.

"They're not spies, but they are collectors of important information," said CNN's military analyst, Perry Smith.

Multimedia history: The Gulf War Interactive Maps: Forces in the Gulf Iraq's Neighbors: Where they stand Military Databank: America's High Tech Arsenal Allied Forces Iraqi Forces Background: For and against: Where key countries stand

Also, intelligence sources tell CNN that there are a small number of spies inside Iraq. But these sources are hesitant to discuss these individuals for fear of endangering them.

There are always limits to the quality of raw intelligence and how it is analyzed. For example, the United States made a big mistake during the Gulf War by drastically underestimating the number of Scud missiles Iraq possessed.

A Gulf War missile successfully finds its target

Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey says keeping nuclear, chemical and biological weapons out of Iraqi hands must be the ultimate goal.

"The U.S. intelligence capability against many aspects of Iraq is quite good, but that doesn't mean that a bombing campaign that is brought only against sites where there might be weapons of mass destruction could be effective," Woolsey said.

Experts agree the only truly effective solution is unfettered access for U.N. inspectors -- and that intelligence and overwhelming force are only tools to achieve that goal.

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