The drums of war are beating in America but, fortunately, they are beating slowly.
It has become obvious that President George W. Bush intends to order military action against those he considers responsible for last week's terror attacks in Washington and New York. The organisation of the wealthy exiled Saudi, Osama bin Laden, and his Afghanistan-Government hosts top the list of suspects. Attacks by missiles and bombers, and perhaps raids by elite troops, seem to be on the agenda.
Perhaps the only way to prevent that from happening would be a speedy handover of bin Laden by the Taleban regime, an act it has consistently rejected. A Pakistani delegation being sent to Kabul today might cause a change of mind; it will warn the only way to avoid war is to surrender bin Laden and close his training camps.
Otherwise, fighting is on the way. American forces are being routed to the Gulf region, though few details emerge. The fact that a reluctant Pakistan has granted overflight rights to the US gives a reliable indication of what is envisioned.
However, the Bush administration has rejected angry calls for immediate strikes just for the sake of action. It is moving methodically and, it insists, with a clear understanding of the complexities involved. It warns repeatedly that there can be no quick and easy victory, that no single action can possibly wipe out international terrorism and those who practise it. 'This is a conflict without battlefields or beachheads. . .the conflict will not be easy. . .the course to victory may be long.'
The US has sound political reasons for choosing a methodical approach. At home, it cannot risk raising false hopes by hasty moves which fail; the worst possible thing would be a thunderous attack inside Afghanistan, for example, which might be followed not long after by yet another terrorist outrage. Overseas, Mr Bush has come to realise that he needs allies and assistance, for the US cannot go it alone successfully. His aides are creating a loose coalition of nations willing to act in diverse ways against the terror gangs.
