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Saddam was a temporary stopgap after the fall of the Shah.

But temporary has a habbit of becoming permanent by default.

And just like Pakistan under Zia al Haq, there was tacit support for all sorts of programs......In desperation to halt what looked like a potential Soviet advance.

But Saddam's regime was like a swan.....swimming in blood.

To a lot of people it seemed calm, ordered (for the middle east) and competent.

This was an illusion and in reality it was horrific. Under the surface awful things happened with both knowledge and approval.

And to this day people prefer the illusion to recognising the horrific reality.

But enough of morality and humanity!

His removal was in our interests and that includes the very public demonstration of power required.