What are the best- and worst-case scenarios?
The best case: U.S.-led forces advance so easily and quickly toward Baghdad that Saddam Hussein’s government collapses and his army surrenders. The worst case: a desperate Hussein unleashes chemical or biological weapons. 7) What effect will war have on the U.S. economy? Past wars have provided an economic boost by forcing sectors of the economy to speed up production, which creates jobs. But the U.S. economy has changed significantly since World War II and Vietnam. A war with Iraq likely would not spur a significant shift in production. War could interrupt the flow of oil out of the region and result in higher prices at the gas pump. In terms of inflation, some experts say, this might be the best time to conduct a war. The economy shows few signs of inflationary pressures, so oil price hikes are unlikely to trigger general inflation. The stock market has been down at the prospect of war, then again, Wall Street posted healthy gains this week as war appeared imminent. 8) Is it safe to
