Déją vu struck last week when headlines about Iraq made Americans do a double-take to make sure that yes, this is not 1991.

Whether President George W. Bush realized it, the surprise decision to issue air strikes on Iraq did not present a good image for the new administration, making him look like he just wanted to finish up Daddy's business.

True, Iraqis were breaching agreements in the no-fly zone concerning British aircraft, but Great Britain could have handled the situation alone until the situation escalated to a degree that warranted U.S. intervention.

If the situation were that pressing, surely there would have been greater forewarnings of a serious problem. Instead, the sudden action came off as out of the blue and nonsensical.

After an almost 10-year hiatus of major violence between the United States and Iraq, with the exception of strikes in 1998, it is hard to understand why this issue suddenly became so urgent less than a month after the transition from the Clinton administration.

The majority of countries, including allies such as France, see last week's strikes on Iraq as rash and premature — and rightly so. Despite the Pentagon's insistence that the United States had been considering the air strikes for some time, it came as an unnecessary surprise to everyone.

By implementing this careless, unnecessary expense of death and destruction, Bush has endangered his own country.

Iraqis are not taking these latest strikes lightly, with President Saddam Hussein issuing a chilling statement that the United States has entered "jihad" or Holy War with their latest actions. Hussein also said the strikes hit civilians, and he promised revenge of the same kind.

France, which fought with the United States during the Gulf War, demanded an explanation for last week's strikes.

Bush does owe the U.S. allies and his own people an explanation for the Pentagon's decision, which could potentially place a great strain on our national security.

Besides placing our security at risk, the strikes certainly will worsen our relations with the other countries that are asking Bush, "Why?"

Last week's decision was also made without the U.N.'s or the U.S. Congress's knowledge or approval. This is especially untimely in the wake of our decision to finally pay back our U.N. dues — as we just made a stride forward as a member of the organization, we are taking two strides back.

The Arab League also said the strikes broke international law and would invoke anger in the Arab countries. Somehow, with all this criticism from other nations, it is hard to believe we are the right ones.

Wake up, President Bush. It's not 1991 anymore.

Yes, the situation in the no-fly zone had to be dealt with, but the United States should have handled it in a nonviolent way at this point in time.

Bombings of this nature rarely results in resolution.