In part as a result of a show of force by the US and Great Britain, Saddam Hussein is backing down (maybe) on his refusal to let Americans participate in arms inspections in his country. Clearly a victory for the US, and clear evidence that a strong military gets results.

On the other hand, I wonder who has achieved what victory and at what cost.

If we presume that Saddam actually follows through with his commitment to let Americans participate in the arms inspections, he will simply be renewing and acting on a commitment he had previously made. So he has given up nothing and spent nothing.

The United States, however, has spent millions of dollars deploying warships and planes in reaction to Saddam's ploy and has created a major public relations coup for Russia in the process.

Hmmmm.