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It is non unrealistic to conclude, given Saddam's interest in Somalia and Sudan, both places associated with bin Laden, that even if there was no direct connection, Saddam and bin Laden were operating in the same areas at about the same times, and that there was likely some form of contact between their operatives. For those who argue that bin Laden, a radical Islamist, would never cooperate with Saddam, a secularist of the type al Qaeda sought to destroy, the just released report says "Common interests, even without common cause, increased the aggregate terror threat." It goes on to say, "Saddam supported groups that either associated directly with al Qaeda (such as the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, led at one time by bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri) or that generally shared al Qaeda's stated goals and objectives."

There is no question that Iraq under Saddam Hussein was a state sponsor of regional and global terrorism. "Saddam nurtured this capability," the report says, "with an infrastructure supporting (1) his own particular brand of state terrorism against internal and external threats, (2) the state sponsorship of suicide operations, and (3) organizational relationships and 'outreach programs' for terrorist groups." The report goes on to conclude "Evidence that was uncovered and analyzed attests to the existence of a terrorist capability and a willingness to use it until the day Saddam was forced to flee Baghdad by Coalition forces."

Vice President Dick Cheney last week defended the invasion of Iraq as part of the global war on terrorism launched by the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. During an unannounced visit to Baghdad, Cheney said the 9/11 attacks led to the decision to take out Saddam Hussein's regime. Critics who allege that Iraq is not part of the war on terror fail to realize that after 9/11, everything changed. The United States could no longer count on two ocean barriers to protect us from foreign attack at home. Playing defense ceased to be an option and the United States had to eliminate potential threats before they materialized in our own backyard. While there may not be a "smoking gun," there is enough evidence available to link Iraq to regions used by al Qaeda at times when al Qaeda was present. There is also enough evidence available to link Iraq to groups that shared al Qaeda's vision and groups that directly supported or aided al Qaeda.

Of course, when all is said and done, there will be no shortage of those choosing to stick to the "Bush lied" mantra when talking about Saddam's links to al Qaeda and the war on terror, no matter what reports like the one produced by the Institute for Defense Analyses tell us. Personally, having only read the first volume of the study so far, I am looking forward to what I will learn from the remaining four.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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