I ALMOST DIDN’T LINK THIS, because the basic argument is old news in the blogosphere. But on reflection, I think it’s pretty big news that William Safire is endorsing the Steven Den Beste theory that the nations opposing war against Saddam are doing so largely to cover up their own violation of sanctions:

France, China and Syria all have a common reason for keeping American and British troops out of Iraq: the three nations may not want the world to discover that their nationals have been illicitly supplying Saddam Hussein with materials used in building long-range surface-to-surface missiles.

We’re not talking about short-range Al Samoud 2 missiles, which Saddam is ostentatiously destroying to help his protectors avert an invasion, nor his old mobile Scuds. The delivery system for mass destruction warheads requires a much more sophisticated propulsion system and fuels.

He seems to have done some research, too, as he’s got details. And it sounds like more are on the way.