The Art of Politics

Always On My Mind

Saddam couldn't stop thinking about Iran...

Sitting in his cage, Saddam has apparently revealed to his interrogators his consistent fixation on Iran.

While logical in context, with regional adversarial roles stretching long back, there is something that doesn't wash with Saddam as merely reacting to his own fear of Iran. He certainly attacked Iran without provocation in a war that badly damaged both nations, sought nuclear materials a full two decades prior to Iran, and his aggression against Kuwait cannot be seen in any context as a response to Iranian hostilities. Rather, it's easier to accept on it's face what is apparent - Saddam was a megalomaniacal aggressive tyrant who's track record is one of internal repression and external aggression (channelled Jesse Jackson briefly there).

Missing from this is the context of his relationship with the Bush Presidents. Iraq may have seen President George H.W. Bush as a potential friend, considering his role as VP during the 80's when the United States supported Iraq over it's far more inimical nemesis Iran. But it was the first President that ruined Saddam's reach at regional hegemony and glory, to which Saddam replied by trying to have him assassinated in Kuwait during a 1993 visit. And it's that President's eldest son, the current President Bush, who certainly had not forgotten that.

Word has it Saddam has asked to vote absentee in the US elections...

Posted by MEC2 at October 7, 2004 12:24 PM