Saddam remains a dangerous foe. His evil instincts remain in the background held in check by the US but let loose he may liberate his hidden terrible impulses, make a virtue of them and tear aside his slender facade imposed by civilisation and run rampant like a mad dog. Why is he so malign, so intent upon destruction? There’s no doubt that he’s a barbarian, a man who comes in contact with a civilisation, yearns for it, and destroys it while he tries to become part of it. I guess if you read enough history you become aware that we’ve never been without them! Is he different from any other man? Every vicious thing he does, all the laws he breaks, every man he ruins, all the power he uses for his own ends. He only shows the worse of mankind.

There’s just one thing I find difficult to understand. It nags at me. Saddam is a hard bastard but I just don’t get the chemicals. What’s the point? Is it just a crude barbarism or something more? I wonder what purpose drives him. Are such “Secret Weapons” to bring him favour in the future? He has agreed to allow the weapons inspectors back into Iraq but can the UN control him? I cannot help the nagging whisper of doubt that murmurs its traitorous pessimisms in my ear! My every instinct warns me that the longer he remains in a position of power the more dangerous he will become. One thing remains firm, the hatred the Iraqis hold for the US will not become a lesser thing and external uncertainties remain.

Would an outright victory prove advantageous to the interests of the US? The spectacle of the US undertaking bloody retaliations and repression in a post rebellion Iraq would not present a desirable picture to the region and the US could lose influence and prestige in the region. Of indirect concern are the Turks, the Iranians, and others who will stake their claims to disputed territory. Not a desirable outcome overall. Should the US go all the way they would only be setting themselves up for continued problems. At present, there is no end to the situation, no clear cut point at which you can say, well, it’s done, now we can pack up and be on our way home. You fix one problem but turn around a find two more facing you!