KUWAIT: As the start date for a war against Iraq nears, the Pentagon has begun releasing details of a military and psychological campaign aimed at crushing resistance long before US troops arrive in Baghdad.
Over the weekend, the psychological warfare began in earnest with leaks to the US media of details of a short and devastating air campaign before ground forces arrive in the Iraqi capital, where Iraqi forces are preparing for a desperate last stand.
According to one report, in an aerial blitz more bombs will be dropped in the first 48 hours than were dropped during the entire 1991 campaign.
Forces stationed in Kuwait and Turkey will then launch an invasion in a "hold and pacify" operation which will see an expanding front line gradually enclose Baghdad.
"We aim to create a ring of steal around Baghdad and make it clear to Iraqi forces they have no chance to escape," said one US military official.
More than 150,000 troops are expected in Kuwait by the end of February, the entire US 3rd Infantry division. The US government is currently involved in talks with Turkey to allow the 4th Infantry division to begin deploying along Iraq's northern border.
With heavy armour moving at 40 to 50 m.p.h., it will take both sets of forces at least a week to reach Iraq, during which time a series of "lighter" forces are expected to launch strategic attacks on strategic locations within Iraq.
The 1st Marine division is already deployed in Kuwait and may be involved with British forces in launching an amphibious assault on port of Basra, the second-largest city in Iraq and a vital beachhead for controlling the south of the country.
US special forces are also reported to be gathering in Jordan and northern Iraq to begin a series of lightning strikes into the heart of the country. Following the success of paratroop regiments in Afghanistan, the deployment of airborne forces remains a possibility in the north of the country where the US will not be able to deploy in large numbers.
Behind the front line, a huge humanitarian effort will begin and the expected 2 million refugees provided with safe access to camps being set up in Iran, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The effect of such a comprehensive war effort - "a war planner's dream", according to one military official - is to bring Iraqi forces to the point of capitulation before US forces arrive in Baghdad.
The prospect of urban warfare and house-to-house fighting by well dug-in Iraqi forces would incur heavy casualties. Although the wide-open boulevards of Baghdad do not lend themselves to an easy defence of the city, Iraqi forces are believed to have ringed the city with a system of trenches and mines much as they did Kuwait during the first Gulf war.
The use of chemical and biological weapons during a last stand is also a possibility, though one which, despite the high attention given to them in the media, remains "negligible", according to military officials in Kuwait.
That has not stopped rumours spreading among American soldiers that Saddam Hussein was preparing to booby-trap his palaces with anthrax and other nerve agents, and that the road to Baghdad has been loaded with chemical mines.
"Although we know there is not much danger from chemical weapons, we are worried. That's why we've done so much training with our nuclear, biological and chemical suits. We are prepared for all eventualities," said one officer in Kuwait.
The release of American battle plans appears to be working in its aim of unnerving the Iraqi leadership as well as demoralise its troop. Saddam appeared on Iraqi television last week before army officials looking tired and haggard followed a series of rare "face-to-face" meetings with ordinary soldiers.
Along with the swearing of allegiance to the Iraqi tribal leaders - also televised and part of a campaign by the leadership to bolster morale - Iraqi forces have been preparing for what is seen as the inevitable war with the US.
Few expect however any but the 60,000-strong Republican Guard to make a prolonged defence of Baghdad in support of the Iraqi leader.
Despite Saddam's pledges that war will be fought "for eternity" against American forces, it seems that any campaign will be a short one. With the United Nations weapon inspectors due to issue an interim report on February 14th, that date is now seen as providing the first indications of when the countdown to war will begin.
It will then be seen whether US plans will be as militarily successful as their war psychology has been.