The U.S. ground war to liberate Kuwait is proceeding with surprising speed and success . Thousands of Iraqi prisoners have been taken in the first hours of fighting leaving much equipment destroyed or abandoned in Kuwait . Officials are optimistic the war can begin to wind down in a matter of days . However , allied forces will still suffer greater casualties . Iraq has still not unleashed its stockpile of chemical weapons . Similarly, while cautioning about the uncertainty of early battle reports, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said late yesterday that "the operation has been very successful." Paradoxically , the perception that the West wants to help Iraq may increase Saddam 's support within the Iraqi military and the Arab world since we did n't back the peace proposals brokered in Moscow .
The U.S. ground war to liberate Kuwait is proceeding with surprising speed and success . Thousands of Iraqi prisoners have been taken in the first hours of fighting leaving much equipment destroyed or abandoned in Kuwait . Officials are optimistic the war can begin to wind down in a matter of days . However , allied forces will still suffer greater casualties . Iraq has still not unleashed its stockpile of chemical weapons . Paradoxically , the perception that the West wants to help Iraq may increase Saddam 's support within the Iraqi military and the Arab world since we did n't back the peace proposals brokered in Moscow .