Saddam - The Series

A four-episode mini-series on Saddam Hussein is in development.

The BBC-HBO collaboration, entitled "Between Two Rivers", will star Yigal Naor as Saddam, together with Shohreh Aghdashloo and Christine Stephen-Daly.

Between Two Rivers is about the dynamics of Saddam's family and his relationships with his close advisers.

Shooting will start this summer in North Africa.

Shocking Ignorance

A new Newsweek poll published this weekend, has exposed a shocking level of ignorance in the minds of the American people as to their knowledge of history and current events.

A staggering 41% of Americans believe that Saddam Hussein had some involvement in 9/11.

When asked:

"Do you think Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq was directly involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001?"

41% said yes.

Quite how that level of ignorance can exist in such a wealthy and, allegedly, "well educated" society is truly alarming. It bodes ill for the future.

Chemical Ali Sentenced to Death

Saddam Hussein's cousin known as "Chemical Ali", and two other former regime officials, have been sentenced to death by hanging today for their roles in a 1980's campaign that led to the deaths of 180,000 Kurds.

Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saddam's cousin and the former head of the Baath Party's Northern Bureau Command, stood silently as the judge read the verdict.

The judge, Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, said that al-Majid was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes for ordering army and security services to use chemical weapons in a large-scale offensive that killed or maimed thousands.

As he was led out of the court, al-Majid said:

"Thanks be to God."

The death sentence is subject to an appeal confirmation.