A Brief Biography of Saddam Hussein

Name: Saddam Hussein Nation: Iraq Lost Power: 2003 Born (Date): April 28th, 1937 Born (Place): Al-Ouja

Saddam Hussein is known today as a tyrant and the recently overthrown leader of Iraq. His recent fall from power was after leading the country from 1979 until 2003. Hussein’s repeated disregard for the Middle East and peace not to mention the United States repeated efforts to tame Hussein resulted in an invasion that overthrew Hussein.

Hussein was no newcomer to political confrontations. When he was a university student he joined the Baath party, which was always known for its revolutionary ideology. By 1958 Hussein was more interested in his own political career and furthering his party so he assassinated a supporter of Abdul-Karim Qassim, who happened to be the leader of Iraq at that time. A Baath coup followed and Hussein used this opportunity to climb the ladder to political success in Iraq. He reached the top of his political ladder in 1979 when he became the de facto dictator as well as president of Iraq. He was 42 years old. His tyranny as president continued for the next 24 years when the invasion by the United States sent Hussein into hiding while his family was killed, his palace destroyed, and his power decimated.

After Hussein became dictator and president of Iraq he led the country through many conflicts. Not long after be became president he fought with neighboring country Iran for approximately 10 years over a dispute for territory. As if this was not enough fighting, Hussein invaded the small country of Kuwait in 1990. George Bush Sr., then president of the United States, organized an alliance to protect Kuwait and run Hussein out of the country. The US was acting on goodwill as well as many personal interests like oil. By 1991 the Gulf War was over and Saddam Hussein was still the president of Iraq.

The next decade did not pass without incident, however there were no huge blowups until 2002 when George W. Bush began pressuring Hussein. This time the conflict would not allow Hussein to stay in power despite the fact that Hussein declared that if the United States ever attacked Iraq it would be the “mother of all wars.” The pressure continued and finally the United States could wait no longer for Hussein’s answers and supposed compliance with the United Nations. So, the United States with support of the UK and other countries invaded Iraq and overthrew Hussein’s regime. Unfortunately for the US and the international community at large, Hussein was missing and in hiding. He could not be found for some time despite many searches and this caused a bit of angst in many. However, he was found hiding in an underground pit near Tikrit by American soldiers in December of 2003. He was subsequently charged with the deaths of 140 men that occurred in 1982 and is currently on trial for these deaths. The trial is not expected to complete until sometime later in 2006. After this trial it is very possible Hussein will be charged for other deaths and actions against humanity that he was responsible for during his 24 year reign as president of Iraq.

Despite the war in Iraq continuing to this day some progress is being made. For example, the first free elections were held in Iraq to the surprise of many and the happiness of all supporters of a free Iraq. Of course those supporters of Hussein and revolutionaries in the area are not pleased with the United States and other countries’ presence in Iraq and are continuing the war by fighting the occupation with suicide bombings, ambushes, and other attacks. Today, Hussein is hated by many worldwide and he is not respected by many on his own continent for his crimes against humanity. However, there are many Arab governments that do like Hussein for the single fact that he hates the United States and Western world. The war in Iraq is not yet over and nobody knows when it will be. However, there is one thing for sure and that is Hussein is no longer in power and is held in Iraqi custody awaiting the completion of his trial. Hopefully, the Arab world will be able to rebound from the war and hatred that has perpetrated the area for years and finally be at peace.