Global Times: Why Saddam Hussein Is Not Panicking
**This is the front-page headline article from the Global Times on January 27, 2003. Saddam was hanged on December 30, 2006. Recently, this article was mocked by netizens because its title was severely slapped in the face, for example, by photoshopping it to: Why is Assad not panicking? To express ridicule towards dictators.
Building Houses and Roads While Facing a Great War, Talking and Laughing Under Heavy Pressure
Why is Saddam Not Panicking?**
In the past few days, some Western experts believe that the moment for US President Bush to confront Iraqi President Saddam is approaching. On January 24, the British newspaper The Guardian reported that White House officials revealed that Bush would launch a war against Iraq in the coming weeks. A senior official in the Russian General Staff also revealed that according to intelligence they received,
He severely criticized his speech for being "off the mark," putting Blair in a very awkward position. Bush had the same experience. On the 24th, more than 100 American law professors issued a joint warning to him, stating that if he launched a war against Iraq, "he would very likely face war crimes charges." Domestic issues concern the political lives of Bush and Blair. If the opposition further strengthens, they will have to think twice. Especially for Blair, many Britons hate him for becoming Bush's "lapdog." Currently, he is facing unprecedented criticism for echoing Bush every day on the Iraq issue, so the situation is even more severe for him. Some even say that it is not impossible for Blair to part ways with Bush due to unbearable domestic pressure. If this possibility becomes a reality, Saddam should be the happiest.
Secondly, Saddam hopes that the surrounding Arab countries can come up with a plan that is beneficial to him. On January 23rd, six countries, including Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, and Egypt, held a foreign ministers' meeting to specifically discuss the Iraq issue. Although the meeting did not reach a substantive solution, experts believe that it is important that these six "previously disharmonious" countries sat together at this time. Therefore, the meeting of the six countries will not end hastily, and "secret talks should be underway," the main content of which may be to find a way out for Saddam.
Experts interviewed unanimously agreed that Saddam will continue to drag things out, which will make the situation more complicated, but this is exactly what Saddam hopes for. The more chaotic the situation, the more he can get what he wants. But his strategy is also very dangerous, because Bush said: "I am very impatient." Experts specifically mentioned one point: Saddam's strategy of waiting for a change by dragging things out shows that he believes he has not yet been pushed to the "last corner" and still has room to maneuver. But it is unknown how the United States will deal with his strategy.
Source: Global Times
Author: Gao Zugui