A moment of reflection in Baghdad and Beirut

mondaymoring: The image of Saddam, which the US had made a determined effort to blacken his standing since 2003 (even going to the extent of humiliating him by photographing him in his underwear and having his teeth examined in the way a horse's teeth might be) in the hope of spreading a feeling that the toppled ruler could easily be convicted because of the large number of serious crimes very widely attributed to him, including crimes against humanity. Many images have been circulated since the fall of Baghdad showing atrocities committed by Saddam against Iraqi people who opposed his regime. But he never appears himself in these clips, only subordinate officials. All these documented facts gave the impression that Saddam could be sentenced to death in the first trial.

When the trial started we expected to see definitive testimonies because the Americans are sponsoring this trial and they have access to all witnesses and files related to the accusations. But the first round of the trial marked many points in favor of Saddam and has created an atmosphere of uncertainty. (But many wonder why, if the evidence of Saddam's crimes is so compelling, why is he being tried only for what happened during one comparatively minor incident, that of the murders of Dujail?) Read more

db: Saddam needed to go on trial for crimes that didn't also implicate the USA in some way. That seriously limited the scope.