Editing Anthony Zinni (section)

===Testimony before Congress===
On March 15, 2000, Zinni testified before Congress:
<blockquote>Iraq remains the most significant near-term threat to U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf region. This is primarily due to its large conventional military force, the pursuit of WMD, oppressive treatment of Iraqi citizens, refusal to comply with [[United Nations Security Council]] [[List of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq|resolutions]] (UNSCR), persistent threats to the enforcement of the [[Iraqi no-fly zones|no-fly zones]] (NFZ), and continued efforts to violate UN Security Council sanctions through oil smuggling.

While Iraq's [[Weapon of mass destruction|WMD]] capabilities were degraded under UN supervision and set back by Coalition strikes, some capabilities remain and others could quickly be regenerated. Despite claims that WMD efforts have ceased, Iraq probably is continuing clandestine nuclear research, retains stocks of [[Chemical warfare|chemical]] and [[Biological warfare|biological munitions]], and is concealing extended-range [[Scud|SCUD]] missiles, possibly equipped with CBW payloads. Even if Baghdad reversed its course and surrendered all WMD capabilities, it retains the scientific, technical, and industrial infrastructure to replace agents and munitions within weeks or months. A special concern is the absence of a UN inspection and monitoring presence, which until December 1998 had been paramount to preventing a large-scale resumption of prohibited weapons programs. A new disarmament regime must be reintroduced into Iraq as soon as possible and allowed to carry out the mandates dictated by the post-Gulf War UN resolutions.</blockquote>

Zinni also warned about terrorism:
<blockquote>Extremists like [[Osama bin Laden]] and his [[World Islamic Front]] network benefit from the global nature of communications that permits recruitment, fundraising, and direct connections to sub-elements worldwide ... Terrorists are seeking more lethal weaponry to include: chemical, biological, radiological, and even nuclear components with which to perpetrate more sensational attacks ... Three [Iraq, Iran, & Sudan ] of the seven recognized [[state-sponsored terrorism|state-sponsors of terrorism]] are within this potentially volatile area, and the [[Taliban]] regime in Afghanistan has been sanctioned by the UN Security Council for its harboring of Osama bin Laden. Nearly one-half of the 28 recognized terrorist organizations have operational sites within the region. Afghanistan has emerged as a catalyst for regional instability offering sanctuary, support, and training facilities to a growing number of extremist elements.<ref name=SenateStatement2000>{{cite journal |title=Statement of General Anthony C. Zinni – Commander in Chief US Central Command before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Armed Services |url=http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2000/000229az.pdf |url-status=dead |publisher=Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senate |date=February 29, 2000 |access-date=2007-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226221920/http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2000/000229az.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2007}}</ref></blockquote>