It also forces allies and Arabs to glimpse the consequences of a possible Iraqi defeat.
Initially, their role was seen as largely symbolic, but both countries have an interest in positioning themselves for the diplomatic and financial payoffs from an Iraqi defeat.
Shiites led a rebellion against him after the Iraqi defeat in the gulf war.
According to the Alexandroni memorial website, the Iraqi defeat in the battle is considered its biggest of the war.
At today's briefing, General Stevens used the very word he had objected to earlier, calling Khafji "a major Iraqi defeat."
Although the Khafji offensive technically constituted an Iraqi military defeat, it was seen to have brought important political and morale benefits to Iraq.
The village had clearly been ransacked sometime during the rebellion that erupted after the Iraqi defeat in the Persian Gulf war.
With the Iraqi defeat, any hope of an Iraqi victory to the war died.
As long as it continues, both run high risks from an Iraqi defeat.
Some weeks ago the secretary-general asked his staff to draw up plans to cover either an Iraqi withdrawal or an Iraqi defeat in the field.