Saddam Splits Power Between Sons in Emergency Deal

National Journal, Radio Free Europe & Al Zaman Newspaper ^ | 11/17/2001 | The Hotline Newsletter-Weekend Scoop

[codebreaker]

Radio Free Europe reports that the London- based Al Zaman reported 11/16, Saddam Hussein held a meeting 11/14 with "his two sons" and top officials "to put into place the mechanism for Saddam's succession, particularly in the case of emergency."

Al Zaman "sources ruled out the possibility" of Hussein stepping down, but they said, "He is concerned about the posssibility he may be targeted in a military operation."

The sources say Hussein "has put in place a contingency plan" splitting Iraq's leadersip "between his two sons" and his deputy.

[RightOnline]

I think your #14 sums it up awfully well. Can't improve on that succinct and dead-on analysis.

[Dan Day]

Oddly enough, one of the best articles about Saddam's sons appeared in "Maxim" magazine a few months back.

And yes, they're both psychopaths, they were raised that way. Saddam has honed their skills by pitting them ruthlessly against each other all their lives.

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Thanks! I know Saddam is pure evil, but I didn't know if Iraq was inhabited with lots of people who are just like him.

[Restorer]

Is he as unpopular as the Taliban or does he have a big following in his own country?

Iraquis are split into three main groups: Sunni Kurds in the north (about 20%), Shit'ite Arabs mostly in the south (50%+), and Sunnis Arabs mostly in the center (the remaining 20-30%). The first two groups hate the third, which holds all the power. But without removing their fingers from the levers of power, the first two cannot overthrow the third.

Saddam has remained in power primarily by leading the dominant Sunni Arabs to believe that he is the only one that can keep them on top. Their future would be bleak if they ever lost dominance. In the Middle East, you don't just retire.

[AmishDude]

I'll be sure to keep quiet then. :)

[Republic]

Fabulous!

[Nitro]

Thanks, I thought so too!

[Nitro]

Thanks to you too!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

In societies like this one, being named as the successor of the mad tyrant is not very good for your health. Usually #1 is looking for anyone who sidles up to #2, and then kills him and them.

[B4Ranch]

Bingo. The count has risen to three Heuseins.

[ipfreely]

I agree. I think that Iraq will have severe internal problems if Saddam is killed. Not that I wouldn't like to see him hung by his tiny dinger, but I bet you'll see some pretty good fighting between the brothers. All they know are lies and violence. I think America needs to take out the whole family and leave nothing behind of their government. Bring on the Turks! (maybe give Israel some action too)

[anniegetyourgun]

And wouldn't that be a pity!!!

[rockfish59]

the classic line from 'shane' when he told ryker:

'you've lived too long'!

he also took out the other brother AND wilson!

we've got LOTS of bombs saddam!

[rockfish59]

and powell better keep his trap shut on this one!

[ipfreely]

In the Middle East, you don't just retire.

It's a different, permanent kind of retirement. Some think there are 30 virgins involved, but apparently the psychos in the ME are not aware that these are really big virgins named Bubba. That is why we (normal people) call this place Hell.

[Sabertooth]

This guy is in the same class as Stalin as far as internal oppression.

The similarities to Stalin are more than just coincidental. Saddam rose to power as a Socialist in the 70s. And like Stalin, Hussein has nurtured a cult of personality. Sure, there are Iraquis who loathe and fear him, there are also millions who would follow him off a cliff (Bill Clinton is our country's best example of this phenomenon).

Check out this excerpt from a thread I posted recently (you can click on the flags for the link):

Hussein the Conqueror Is Saddam Hussein the Reincarnation of the Chaldean Emperor Nebuchadnezzar? Is it his destiny to sack Jerusalem, destroy Israel, and kill and capture the Jews? Forget what you think… What does he think? Click on the flags for the link
Hussein and petrified British child, held briefly hostage prior to Gulf War in 1990. Trying to make like "Uncle Joe" Stalin (right), Saddam was even less convincing.
Note the simlarities in the photo op staged by Saddam and the infamous Red Propaganda poster of Stalin, even down to the nearly identical haircuts of the boys in the pics. This is absolutely NOT a coincidence, it's part and parcel of Hussein's pathological megalomania. Click on the flags for more examples.

[anniegetyourgun]

Wooo - that's creepy....too real....

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

. This guy is in the same class as Stalin as far as internal oppression.

Even looks like him.