[yequalsx]

Your view of Iraq's military capabilities and of it's military potential in 2000 is badly wrong. Iraq, by 2000, was a shell of its former self militarily speaking. The sanctions, no fly zones, and complete domination of its military in the early 90s ensured this.

Saudi Arabia, after the first Gulf War, was not in any way threatened by Iraq. Saudi Arabia supported Iraq in its war with Iran.

It is most interesting that you point out Iraq's usage of mustard gas. Said usage occurred during the Iran/Iraq war. The usage was supported by the U.S. until it was applied to Iraqi Kurds. Then there was some moral posturing but the weapons, support, and money kept flowing to Iraq so that they could continue the fight with Iran.