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   U.S. Explores Strike Options Against Iraq-NY Times
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   Jul 29, 2:41 am ET

   NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States is exploring the concept of
   taking Baghdad and one or two key command centers and weapons depots
   first in the hope of prompting a quick collapse of Saddam Hussein's
   Iraqi government, the New York Times reported on Monday.

   The aim would be to kill or isolate Saddam and preempt Iraq's use of
   weapons of mass destruction, whether against an incoming force,
   front-line allies or Israel.

   The Baghdad-first or "inside-out" approach would capitalize on the
   American military's ability to strike over long distances, maneuvering
   forces to envelop a large target, the Times said, citing senior
   administration and Pentagon officials.

   Advocates of the plan say it reflects the desire to avoid committing a
   quarter-million American troops, yet hits hard enough to succeed, the
   newspaper said.

   The advantages and risks of strikes aimed deep inside the country and
   radiating outward are under discussion, though no formal plan has been
   presented to President Bush or senior members of his national security
   team.

   Officials say it may be possible to paralyze the highly centralized
   and authoritarian Iraqi command-and-control system. Mid-level officers
   are not taught to improvise, should they be cut off from commanders.

   While other options are being considered, the Baghdad plan could
   appeal to Gulf allies of the U.S. who are nervous about a large-scale
   U.S. military deployment, the unnamed officials told The Times.

   Yet the 250,000-man figure could still be accurate, the newspaper
   said, as it might take that many troops to ensure that forces dropped
   into Baghdad are not isolated or surrounded, bereft of support, food
   and ammunition.

   Defense Department deputy spokesman Bryan Whitman had no comment in
   response to the article, the newspaper said.

   Articles From Reuters