1.   In contrast to previous standoffs, Annan appeared unwilling to heed appeals from European, Arab and African nations to intervene diplomatically to avert an American attack.

2.   In his November speech at the end of the previous standoff with Iraq, Clinton called off an air strike and gave Iraq a last chance to comply.

3.   The first inspectors who have been at the center of this and previous standoffs are to fly back on Tuesday from Bahrain.

4.   Two factors make this crisis in South Asia far more dangerous than previous tense standoffs between the two countries.

5.   Previous standoffs with Iraq have shown that verbal threats by the Iraqis are not enough to prod the Security Council into action.

6.   Russia has long political and economic ties to Iraq, and has successfully served as an intermediary in previous standoffs between Saddam and the West.

7.   Such trouble was minor compared to previous standoffs, when much bigger crowds turned drunken and violent after dark.

8.   The United States, which had threatened military action during two previous standoffs between Iraq and U.N. inspectors this year, was cautious.

9.   Unlike previous standoffs, the Kuwaiti government distanced itself from the showdown between Iraq and U.N. inspectors that sparked the overnight attacks.

10.   In the previous standoffs, Iraq complained that UNSCOM teams include too many Americans and that some work for the US intelligence services.