Stalin is a good comparison. We fought with them economically, mostly, and won. Perhaps we're attempting to do the same thing with Iraq? Building lots of jets and submarines was, I believe, good for our economy. It sparked industry, and even more so technology.
A couple of big differences, though, are that Iraq's economy is probably sustainable for the long term, because of oil, and we currently have the capability to defeat Iraq without serious risk to our country. The later certainly wasn't true of the USSR.
I looked at some of the recon photos in one of the air and space magazines. After seeing those, I'm convinced that this doesn't have anything to do with terrorism. I believe what the US is worried about is Iraq continuing to be a serious military threat to the region.
We've been flying patrols over them for years now, and I think they're getting stronger, not weaker, and that someone has decided that "now's the time", before we lose any more military capability due to budget cuts, and before they develop any more capabilities. My feeling is that the terrorism angle is just a plausible excuse.
This also fits into the scheme of the US maintaining itself as *the* world power. Germany and France - remember they used to have colonies? - are naturally less than thrilled with this.
Ok, I'm rambling, but I'll add one more thing. I think the surprise supporter of the US is going to end up being an Arab nation. Why? Because eventually the oil is going to run out, because some of those leaders probably do care greatly about the long term future of their countries, and because we don't have a history of building colonial empires. I think we'd be good friends to have. I know I'd sure trust us more than the Germans! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif