MOSCOW -- Last week a number of American officials were saying that the war in Iraq was not unfolding as quickly as had been hoped. The remarks sound like excessive modesty because the war has actually proceeded much more smoothly than its opponents predicted.
Fewer than 60 people among the allied forces were killed during the first 10 days of war, and some of them in accidents or by friendly fire. That is remarkably fortunate, given the fact that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein possessed one of the best armies in the Middle East, equipped, at various stages, by the Soviets, the French and the Americans.
For some reason, while on the run, Iraqi troops were unable to inflict serious damage on Anglo-American troops. The suicide attack at the U.S. checkpoint that killed four American soldiers last week should be taken as a sign of despair rather than as a manifestation of formidable combat spirit. Hussein's use of guerrilla warfare tactics in the first week of war indicated that he had little faith in his regular army.