Senator Collins questioned the former military leaders on the current force size, capabilities and infrastructure of the Iraqi military. Numerous reports have stated that the Iraqi military is less than half the size it was before the Gulf War in 1991, but it is still the most effective military power in the Gulf region.
"The public and Congress need to be assured, that if military action is taken against Iraq, that a U.S.-lead Coalition attack on Iraq is militarily feasible," said Senator Collins. "The public and Congress also must know the level of risk is acceptable to defer our Nation's attention, intelligence resources, and armed forces from Afghanistan and other theaters in the war on terrorism."
The purpose of today's hearing was for members to continue to receive testimony on U.S. policy toward Iraq, including the possible use of military force against Iraq in the event Iraq continues its non-compliance with a series of U.N. Security Council Resolutions, including its efforts to produce weapons of mass production.
"I have supported the call for unfettered rigorous inspections that should be pursued before military force is brought to bear.".
Today's hearing is the latest in a series of hearings being heard in the upcoming weeks by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. policy on Iraq. On Thursday, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld testified before the Committee that the Administration had made no decision on the use military action against Iraq.