I honestly do know enough about Saddam's reign. Were the Iraquis happy then or now? surely it was all to do with keeping the oil and it's price up. I am truly appalled that both political parties supported the invasion.

Narcissist - I agree with most of what you say, though as for Saddam playing 'silly buggers' with the weapons inspectors, you have to take a look at his position.

He was surrounded by countries and factions he considered hostile - not the least of which was Iran, which has been wanting a stronger sphere of influence in Iraq for quite some time.

Now hypothetically, if Hussein had rolled over, confessed to having no WMD, or even that is 'imperial guard' was not nearly as well trained as the rest of the region believed, what outcomes could he expect?

We know he didn't make the right choice - fair enough. The thing is, he was stuck between a rock (the US) and a hard place (Iran). Either way, the Americans were forcing his hand and if they hadn't invaded, he would have been toppled from within - a prospect which probably seemed even scarier than a US led invasion.

Reading between the lines of this article and others, it seems pretty clear the US have used whatever pretext they can use - or even manufacture - to have a presence on the ground in Iraq. Not surprising, considering the importance of the region to the US economy.

It's a sad fact, but 'collateral damage' only seems to count if the victims are affluent western citizens. Otherwise it's merely an unfortunate, yet inevitable result of 'bringing freedom' to the area.

Seriously though folks... after the whole mossadegh affair, the Iran-contra scandals, desert storm and it's ill fated sequel... does anyone still honestly belief this war was waged for altruistic purposes?

I'll admit - the US wanted to install a western friendly democracy, and improve the standard of living for Iraqis, though it was at the expense of sovereignty of their own oil prices.
Certainly, freeing the Iraqis from the yoke of oppression wasn't at the top of the US priority list when they were figuring out how to launch this invasion.

TurnRightThenLeft - Agree with your views. Its very interesting how the US appeared to hold back from warning off Iraq in the days before the Iraqi 1991 invasion of Kuwait.

Chris Shaw - Yes, Saddam is not a Westerner so he should be given the benefit of the doubt. Should he? Maybe he is a victim of (world) society ... ;-)

Arjay - Don't know where you got the idea Iran has a powerful army (airforce or navy) eg few modern tanks or servicable fighter aircraft. For a country its size its forces are weak. Its neighbour Pakistan's or Israel offensive forces are several time larger. Most of Iran's military manpower appear to be tied down for internal security and border defence duties.

One reason Iran is taking the nuclear weapons path is because of its weakness in conventional forces.

Pete
http://spyingbadthings.blogspot.com/

.. and the answer to Saddam? Bush and Co. inflict even more harm on the Iraqis. The logic of defeating an 'anticipated' crime (that has not taken place) with the real crime itself is asounding! How can we justify this war when we have done the very thing Saddam was accused of to justify the waR?

The fallout from the Iraq War has only just commenced, and it will continue for many years beyond the eventual withdrawal.

The timing of events has been extremely bad for US Republicans, who will come to regret their presidential win in 2004. Democrats will have two years to rake Bush over the coals and despite the dropping of the phrase 'stay the course', Bush has no other political option other than to do just that.

Republicans can look back at Vietnam and agree that communism was a real and ongoing threat to the United States, which (they believe) was eventually crushed during the Reagan presidency.

There will be no such solace with Iraq. Eventually, it shall dawn upon us that the Bush-led US response since late 2001 has been and continues to be beneficial beyond measure for the Al Qaeda movement.

The execution of Saddam Hussein and more symbolically, of his defence lawyers, will be one of those benefits. US rejection of the International Criminal Court was a generous gift to the terrorist movement in general

Plantagenet,Iran has 545,000 full time personal.They can mobolise a million reserves at will.It is not the rockets or shock an awe that counts,but the number of trained dedicated fighters you can muster on the ground.I was referring to their on the ground defensive capabilities that the US would not dare attack using conventional weapons.