Saddam Hussein

Definition

Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. He was a ruthless dictator who maintained power through brutal suppression of opposition and the use of weapons of mass destruction against his own people. Saddam's actions and the subsequent US-led invasion of Iraq had significant implications for global politics and the War on Terror.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Saddam Hussein came to power in 1979 through a coup and established a brutal dictatorship in Iraq, suppressing dissent and using chemical weapons against the Kurdish population.
2. In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War and the imposition of UN sanctions on Iraq.
3. Despite the Gulf War and sanctions, Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq, and was accused of continuing to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
4. The 9/11 attacks and the Bush administration's assertion that Iraq posed a threat due to its alleged WMD program led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which resulted in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime.
5. Saddam Hussein was captured, tried, and executed for crimes against humanity in 2006, marking the end of his brutal dictatorship in Iraq.

Review Questions

• Explain how Saddam Hussein's actions and the subsequent US-led invasion of Iraq contributed to the broader context of the War on Terror.
  • Saddam Hussein's brutal dictatorship, his use of weapons of mass destruction against his own people, and his defiance of the international community led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. This invasion, which resulted in the overthrow of Saddam's regime, was framed by the Bush administration as part of the broader War on Terror, as they claimed that Iraq posed a threat due to its alleged WMD program and ties to terrorist groups. The instability and power vacuum created by Saddam's downfall contributed to the rise of insurgent groups and the growth of extremism in the region, further complicating the War on Terror.
• Describe how Saddam Hussein's actions and the US-led invasion of Iraq shaped the global political landscape in the context of the New World Order.
  • Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Gulf War in 1991 marked a significant shift in the global political landscape following the end of the Cold War, as the US-led coalition demonstrated its willingness and ability to use military force to maintain international order and prevent aggression by rogue states. However, Saddam's continued defiance of the international community and the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 further challenged the notion of a 'New World Order' characterized by increased cooperation and stability. The invasion of Iraq, which was controversial and divisive within the international community, highlighted the challenges of establishing a new global order and the continued potential for conflict and unilateral action by powerful nations.
• Analyze how Saddam Hussein's legacy and the events surrounding his downfall have influenced the ongoing dynamics of the War on Terror and the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
  • Saddam Hussein's legacy as a brutal dictator who used weapons of mass destruction against his own people, as well as the events surrounding his downfall, have had a lasting impact on the dynamics of the War on Terror and the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The power vacuum created by the collapse of Saddam's regime in Iraq contributed to the rise of insurgent groups, such as al-Qaeda in Iraq, which later evolved into the Islamic State (ISIS). The instability and sectarian tensions in post-Saddam Iraq have also fueled ongoing conflicts and power struggles in the region, which have drawn in external actors and further complicated the War on Terror. Additionally, the controversial nature of the US-led invasion of Iraq, which was based on the disputed claims of Iraq's WMD program, has undermined trust in the international community and the legitimacy of military interventions, with lasting implications for global security and the balance of power in the Middle East.

Related terms

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs): Weapons capable of causing widespread destruction and loss of life, such as chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons. Saddam Hussein was accused of developing and possessing WMDs, which was a key justification for the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Gulf War: The 1991 conflict between a US-led coalition and Iraq, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The Gulf War resulted in the expulsion of Iraqi forces from Kuwait but left Saddam Hussein in power in Iraq.

Regime Change: The replacement of one government or political leader with another, often through military intervention or other forms of coercion. The US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 was aimed at achieving regime change and removing Saddam Hussein from power.