AIR STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ WAS A WARRANTED ACTION

America and its allies were in the skies over Iraq Wednesday to put some teeth in United Nations mandates. The prevailing sentiment of this action should be this: no surprise. Iraq was warned repeatedly. We are pleased not to be surprised by this military action, pleased the United States and its international friends do not back down in the face of endless infractions by a despot who has grown tiresome in his disregard for law. Maybe Saddam Hussein will finally take the hint, though given recent history, that may be too much to hope for.

Leading up to Wednesday's allied attack on missile sites in Iraq, the "butcher of Baghdad" had engaged in what became known as a "cheat and retreat" strategy, flagrantly defying the terms of the 1991 pact that ended the Persian Gulf War, then taking a step back when the heat became too great. Since the cease-fire document was forged, Iraq has tried the patience of its opponents by continually testing their limits regarding enforcement of the accord.

In recent weeks, Saddam Hussein's forces began to stray into the designated no-fly zone, paying the price with one of its fighter jets. In the past two days, Iraqis seized weapons during raids on allied-held territory. Last week, the United States warned the Iraqi leader to have missile batteries he established near the no-fly zone dismantled. Wednesday's bombings were testament to his foolish reluctance to heed that warning.

This latest conflict provides a couple of different lessons. One, a lesson that Saddam Hussein seems to reinforce with every breath he takes, is that the United States can't always deal rationally with the leader of a nation. Another is the diverse styles employed by two leaders involved. Saddam Hussein ignores treaties and challenges global authority, leaving his people in danger of repercussions while he remains protected from harm. George Bush, on the other hand, reacts with caution, then measured force, careful not to put American and allied lives in harm's way but not hesitant to act when provoked. This president could have done nothing and suffered no criticism, riding out the last few days of his term quietly. Instead, President Bush took the tougher road, not backing down in the face of repeated violations and not leaving the chore for the new president. The nation should be proud and supportive of his action.

At times like these, America's threshold for malarkey is heightened by the sad observations served up by Iraqi leaders about the injuries thrust on their nation. One causing some eye-rolling Wednesday came from Nizar Hamdoon, Iraq's U.N. ambassador, who whined, "I think it's really sad that people are resorting to military action. It's very uncivilized." He said it with a straight face. Iraq has a lot to learn about living in a civilized world. The bombing may have helped drive home the point. It was warranted and commendable.