The Execution of Saddam Hussein

I have already commented on the fundamental flaws in the trial, and speed of execution, of Saddam Hussein. I do not need to repeat in detail the fact that the foundations of the "new" Iraq have been fatally weakened by the failures of the trial and sentencing procedure.

However, it seems that another nail has been hammered firmly into the coffin of the "new" Iraq. The videos of the execution, currently swamping the net, show a number of people mocking and taunting Saddam as he is led to the gallows. Saddam gives as good as he gets, and a faint smile can bee seen on his lips.

The significance of this?

To allow a state execution of this importance to descend into scenes resembling "bear baiting" at a fairground side show give little credibility to the rule of law in the "new" Iraq, or indeed to the current administration struggling to control the forces unleashed by the regime change imposed on the country.

The faint smile?

Saddam knew full well what will happen to the country and the region, following his demise, and was in fact taking a perverse pleasure in the chaos that exists and will continue.

This does not augur well for the future.

It is likely that Bush will announce the deployment of 30,000 extra troops in January. This is the last throw of the dice by the current American administration, in their failed Iraq venture.

Bush's ally, Blair, once said that Iraq was the crucible in the fight against terrorism

Did anyone ask the Iraqi people if they wanted their country to be turned into a crucible?

The American troops, theoretically, will be sent to "stabilise" the country. However, that number will be too little too late; they will end up becoming targets themselves.

Iraq will split along religious and ethnic lines, with a fortress of attempted US influence maintained in Baghdad by the American troops.

The religious chaos between Sunnis and Shias, unleashed in Iraq, will spread to the rest of the Middle East and the West will be confronted with a major war (beyond their understanding or control) in the region.

The threat to the oil supplies will force the West to send troops to the region and to, in effect, occupy the Middle East. The West will end up having to occupy the region for decades, until the oil runs out or until a political solution can be found.

All of this chaos and bloodshed could have been avoided, if one man had not tried to avenge the failure of his father in the early 90's.

Mission Accomplished!