Changes

As is often the case, national alignments can change rapidly. During the 1980s, during the [[Iran-Iraq War]], the [[United States of America|United States]] considered Saddam Hussein to be a friend and assisted him with loans <ref>http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/</ref>. During the 1990s, however, after Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait Hussein was considered one of America's greatest enemies.

As is often the case, national alignments can change rapidly. During the 1980s, during the [[Iran-Iraq War]], the [[United States of America|United States]] considered Saddam Hussein to be a friend and assisted him with loans <ref>http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/</ref>. During the 1990s, however, after Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait Hussein was considered one of America's greatest enemies.

He was one of the few modern leaders who used WMDs, specifically chemical weapons, in war; and was the instigator of at least two wars: the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s and Iraq's August, 1990, invasion of Kuwait.

He was one of the few modern leaders who used [[WMD]]s, specifically [[chemical weapon]]s, in war; and was the instigator of at least two wars: the [[Iran-Iraq War]] during the 1980s and Iraq's August, 1990, invasion of Kuwait.

Captured by U.S. forces on December 13, 2003, Saddam was brought to trial under the Iraqi interim government set up by U.S.-led forces. On November 5 2006, he was convicted of charges related to the executions of 148 Iraqi Shi'ites suspected of planning an assassination attempt against him, and was sentenced to death by hanging. Saddam was executed on December 30, 2006. Interestingly, the name "Saddam" means "one who confronts".

Captured by U.S. forces on December 13, 2003, Saddam was brought to trial under the Iraqi interim government set up by U.S.-led forces. On November 5 2006, he was convicted of charges related to the executions of 148 Iraqi Shi'ites suspected of planning an assassination attempt against him, and was sentenced to death by hanging. Saddam was executed on December 30, 2006. Interestingly, the name "Saddam" means "one who confronts".{{fact}}

==References==

==References==