AHC: Earlier Iraq War

As a counterpoint to another thread, the challenge here is to have the United States invade Iraq and overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime prior to 2003.

The POD must be after March 10 1991. Or more generally, after American forces withdrew from the Gulf. (I'm just trying to see if there is a way to avoid the obvious invasion during the Gulf War concept.)
Bonus points if the POD is after November 4th 1992. (So it occurs under the Presidency of William Jefferson Clinton rather than George H. W. Bush.)
 
I believe they tried to chuck the weapons inspectors out in '98, though the poitical mood was not in favour of launching any assault more major than a few odd airstrikes IIRC. Maybe a much more hawkish US government than the Clinton administration might push this? (If not led by someone as allegedly stupid as Bush?)
 
'98 is the obvious time for it to happen. Would it need a more hawkish president than Clinton? That depends I guess. If there's ends up being a "Black Hawk Down" style situation (say a US plane is shot down, and the rescue is a FUBAR) then it could escalate even with Clinton in charge.
 
Could an absence of Monicagate lead to a firmer US response? I'm thinking yes...

Monicagate's probably pretty easy to kill. Simply prevent this from happening

In late 1997, Judge Susan Webber Wright ruled Jones was "entitled to information regarding any individuals with whom President Clinton had sexual relations or proposed to or sought to have sexual relations and who were, during the relevant time frame, state or federal employees."

And Lewinskygate, or at least the whole impeachment fiasco goes away. If Clinton isn't be asked about Monica during his testimony in the Paula Jones case, he very well can't be charged with perjury. Sure, it's possible his affair is still exposed, but there isn't going to be a huge investigation to prove whether or not it's true. Lewinsky becomes at best another Gennifer Flowers. Someone who Clinton denies having had an affair with, but the rest of the nation kinda sorta thinks he did have an affair with. Point is, it wouldn't be a real national issue if he didn't have to testify about it in the Paula Jones case.
 
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