The Power and Peril of High-Speed Warfare

The plan for the invasion of Iraq marks an important milestone in military thinking. Instead of relying on overwhelming numbers, it depends on a high-tech air attack to immobilize the enemy, followed by a lightning-fast ground assault to finish the job. The “rolling” attack could bring victory in days or weeks, but it also carries special risks.

A panel of experts will assess the military questions, including:

• What is the current state of readiness of U.S. forces?
• Will the lack of a northern front hinder the operation and lead to greater casualties?
• How will Saddam react to the U.S.-led invasion?
• What are the implications of using a “rolling start” approach to the conflict?
• How prepared are U.S. and British troops for a large-scale chemical or biological attack?
• What are the regional security implications beyond Iraq, particularly the potential threat to Israel posed by a war in the region?

Following brief presentations, panelists will take questions from the audience.