USATODAY.com - Buildup shifts Iraq war timing

U.S. troops being deployed to the Persian Gulf will need until the end of February to be ready for full-scale war against Iraq, according to Defense officials.

U.S. commanders would prefer to fight Iraq in the cooler winter months. But the force moving to the Persian Gulf region under three orders signed in the past week by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is prepared to fight in hot weather, a second Defense official said. Average high temperatures in Baghdad don't exceed 90 degrees until May.

Air strikes and limited actions can start at the beginning of February for the "Iraqi live exercise" (see below) if they can get their domestic and international political act together.