The Moral Dilemma of Saddam's Execution

A native of the Middle East and opponent of the death penalty ponders his own unexpected reaction to Saddam's execution.

This is a well-written, non-partisan article that clearly recounts Saddam's effect on Iraq and its neighbors from the time he took power in 1979. The author discusses his reaction to the death penalty being carried out, even when he himself is a death penalty opponent. It is most interesting because the author is a middle eastern insider. The article begins with a chilling portrait of the dictator, in the days when he first took power: he called his cabinet together and announced to them that there were traitors trying to assassinate him....already. He then calmly named those guilty, and much to the horror of the cabinet members, some of their own names were on the list of those responsible in the completely fabricated crimes. Soon after, 22 of them were executed without trial. Thus began his horrific reign. Retrospect and years will give us all a clearer picture of Saddam, his dealings with the U.N. and the U.S. and its allies, and in fact it will also give us a clearer view of the entire Iraq saga. But for now, it is fascinating to get a look inside the world of pre-U.S. invasion Iraq, through the eyes of one who knows what we can never fully know.