Those on Mr Bush's worry-list have nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, or are trying hard to get them, despite treaty promises not to.

ECONOMIST: America and the bomb

Iraq has also said it will meet a December 8th deadline to declare details of any of its programmes involving chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

ECONOMIST: George Bush��s call to arms | The

Iraq, though, has repeatedly claimed that the inspectors will not find anything because the country no longer has any programmes to make chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

ECONOMIST: The war of words begins | The

Not long ago, the Bush administration quietly asserted that it might use nuclear weapons in a conflict first if the US suffers a biological or chemical weapons attack.

NPR: Nuclear Weapons Gain Importance for Regional Powers

Iraq has agreed to let the inspectors back after a four-year absence, while continuing to deny that it has chemical or biological weapons, and that it is attempting to build nuclear arms.

ECONOMIST: Countdown for Saddam | The