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# Iraq plans didn’t run like clockwork
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/iraq-plans-didnt-run-like-clockwork-editor/
- Published: 2006-11-07T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T22:03:19.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By John O. Legried Santa Monica*

Most of Europe knew this. Even our good neighbor to the north, Canada, urged us to rely on United Nations intelligence.

Most of the Arab Nations and much of the rest of the Muslim world could see nothing but world trouble if Israel were given recognition as a state. Most of these have shown some change of policy by much U.S. economic pressure. Only Iran and Iraq among the majors have held out.

Well, if we beat up on Iraq, then all our troops will be in position to turn around and take on Iran. But something went wrong with our timing. “Clockwork Orange” is out of sync.

The war with Iraq took only six days. But more than three years later, and many thousands dead, we are in no position to turn around and take on Iran.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 7, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/110706.pdf?ref=smdp.com)