Pre-sanction, sanction, post-invasion
Iraq is now entering its third period since Saddam Hussein took power.
Which of the three versions of Iraq is the best?
1. Saddam Hussein's pre-sanctions Iraq
In the 1980s Saddam Hussein started two wars, one against Iran and one against Kuwait. Due to his regime and the wars more than 2 million people died, including 1-1.5 million Iranians, 100,000 Kurds, and thousands others.
Period: 1980s, pre-sanctions Iraq
Resident Nutter: Saddam Hussein
Frags: >2 million
2. Iraq during the sanctions
In the 1990s and early 2000s Iraq suffered under UN sanctions while Saddam refused to co-operate with UN inspections. Aid transports were sent away or goods sold elsewhere.
Due to the sanctions and more so due to Saddam's behaviour few of the goods reached their destinations among the Iraqi population.
Saddam Hussein also killed a few thousand Iraqi Shi'ites in the south, but I guess that goes without saying.
Period: 1990s, early 2000s
Resident Nutter: Saddam Hussein
Frags: 1 million children due to sanctions, >100,000 Shi'ites, more
3. Iraq after the invasion
Since the invasion a maximum of 31,000 civilians plus 2000 American soldiers have died mostly due to terrorist attacks by Saddam's supporters.
Period: since 2003
Resident Nutter: on trial
Frags: <35,000
Sources: Wikipedia, Iraq Body Count Web site
Questions:
Which one of these scenarios do you think is best for Iraq and the world?
Which one of these scenarios do or did you support?
Among the world leaders, specifically of the leaders of the five great powers (US, UK, Russia, China, France+Germany), who do you think stood for which Iraq?