If only they can get Bin Laden

The Americans have toppled Afghanistan's Taliban regime more easily, at less human cost, than even optimists anticipated. If they can now capture or kill Osama bin Laden, the campaign can be hailed as a triumph. The "if" is important. We have always supported military action, but argued that its essential purpose should be to destroy al Qaeda, not remodel Afghanistan. In the new military and political situation following the surrender of Kandahar, it will be much easier for US and British special forces to hunt for bin Laden and his followers. There seem grounds for optimism that he will be caught. His death or capture will create the vital punctuation mark in military operations.

Once he is disposed of, most of the Americans will withdraw, leaving international peacekeepers - some of them British - to support the huge "nation-building" task which lies ahead. American money will pay a lot of the bills, but America will be at pains to avoid the danger of being accused of creating a puppet regime. All this seems very sensible. Many troubles, and probably extended guerrilla war, lie ahead for Afghanistan, but for most of its people the future looks significantly healthier than the past.

But the world's fears are already moving on from Afghanistan, to focus on possible American action against Iraq and other foes. Many people, including this newspaper, believe it will be disastrous if America's will to work for a Middle East peace settlement is seen to weaken, while American forces continue to pursue Muslim foes with fire and the sword. As far as Israel goes, Washington must not allow the objective of taming the Sharon Government to be deflected by Palestinian terrorists.

On Iraq, it is not necessary to be a hawk to believe that Saddam Hussein's possession of weapons of mass destruction represents a menace Western civilization cannot tolerate. The US should issue an ultimatum to Baghdad, warning of the consequences if it refuses to re-admit UN weapons inspectors, and allow them to do their job. Economic sanctions against Iraq should be tightened. All possible diplomatic and political pressure should be exerted. The task for America's allies is to support such determined policies, while deterring President Bush from moving peremptorily to heavy bombardment. All the signs suggest that the Washington Administration has not yet made up its mind what to do about Iraq, so there is still everything to play for. What we can say, however, is that America's actions thus far since 11 September have proved both measured and successful.

The US has earned the right to a benefit of the doubt, until or unless the nation acts irresponsibly. For now, the fall of Kandahar and the success of America's military action deserve celebration - and admiration. All that is needed to complete the seasonal cheer is the end of Mr bin Laden.

The people who come out of this trial worst are not, however, the hijackers, but the legal trade, who unfortunately will not be going to prison. The judge in the hijackers' first trial, which failed to reach a verdict, was withering about the costs of some £12 million. Each defendant was represented by two barristers, although some called no witnesses.

It is disgraceful that the legal profession should be able to get away with highway robbery of the taxpayer on this scale. It is hard to become seriously incensed with people who steal from banks or mug old ladies, as long as lawyers are left free to enrich themselves by equally shameful methods.