This amazes me. When Uday Hussein was in charge, the soccer team was routinely tortured when they lost.
A late friend of my family, and former Tanaiste (Vice President) of Ireland, Brendan Corish once said, and I think it's appropriate here: 'Never do anyone a favour, because they'll never forgive you for it'.
Maybe the Iraqis are like what Swift described us Irish;
....who truckle most, when treated worst.