1.   In the past the prospect of military involvement by the West has been viewed with caution and reluctance.

2.   Mr Bush, unsurprisingly, opposes military involvement on the ground.

3.   It was widely perceived that direct Israeli military involvement could alter dramatically the whole political complexion of the conflict.

4.   Disunity in Congress also compelled the administration to look for allies if it was to risk military involvement.

5.   American interest in the region has been increasing, but nothing suggested the need for deeper military involvement.

6.   And during his trip to England, Ireland and Spain, the president will solicit public endorsements of U.S. military involvement from the leaders of those countries.

7.   And a leading national security expert worries that the growing military involvement in civilian life could have unwanted consequences.

8.   Another member of Congress accused him of violating a new law banning military involvement in politics.

9.   Any direct military involvement in a civilian law enforcement operation would have required a presidential waiver of the law barring such activity.