Iraq’s former national security adviser Mowaffak Al Rubaie at home with a bust of Saddam and the rope used to hang him. AFP
Iraq’s former national security adviser Mowaffak Al Rubaie at home with a bust of Saddam and the rope used to hang him. AFP
Iraq’s former national security adviser Mowaffak Al Rubaie at home with a bust of Saddam and the rope used to hang him. AFP
Iraq’s former national security adviser Mowaffak Al Rubaie at home with a bust of Saddam and the rope used to hang him. AFP

Books

'Once Upon a Time in Iraq': BBC book explores Saddam Hussein’s role in Second Gulf War

The book, which complements a BBC documentary series, features in-depth interviews with those who brought the dictator to trial

Con Coughlin
Con Coughlin

September 02, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

One of the more regrettable consequences of the global controversy that has raged over the Second Gulf War is that the role Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein played in the whole sorry affair is often overlooked.

While the arguments over weapons of mass destruction, as well as the US-led coalition's unimpressive administration of post-Saddam Iraq, will continue for many years to come, it is important not to lose sight of Saddam's contribution to provoking the conflict in the first place.

One of the Iraqi leader's more pronounced characteristics was his immense stubbornness, a feature that encouraged him to undertake dangerous gambles, such as the invasions of Iran and Kuwait, when wiser counsels, such as Saddam's long-suffering foreign minister Tariq Aziz, advised him against making such moves.

And it was Saddam's refusal to acknowledge that the US was serious about resolving the Iraq issue, which had dragged on since the end of the First Gulf War in 1991, that made a major contribution to the Bush administration's decision to invade after Saddam refused to comply with Washington's demands.

The resulting diplomatic stand-off between Washington and Baghdad, which not even the combined efforts of the UN Security Council was able to resolve, and the tumultuous events that followed have now become the centrepiece of a major BBC documentary series, Once Upon a Time in Iraq. This has also been published as a book based on the numerous interviews of key figures who participated in the Iraq drama.

Even though the tone of the book reflects the BBC's institutional opposition to the Iraq conflict, it nevertheless provides those of a more neutral disposition with some fascinating insights into how the whole Iraq saga played out, not least in terms of Saddam's contribution as one of the primary dramatis personae.

From the coalition’s point of view, the war got off to a bad start when the CIA claimed it had real-time intelligence concerning the location of Saddam’s command and control centre in Baghdad, persuading the Bush administration that the war could be ended at a stroke if the US could carry out a precision strike that killed the Iraqi leader. A massive “bunker buster” bomb was duly dropped on the compound but, given Saddam’s famous ability to avoid assassination attempts over several decades, the Iraqi leader had already made good his escape.

This meant the US had no alternative but to proceed with its invasion which, while it succeeded in overthrowing the Baathist dictatorship, failed to apprehend Saddam himself, who was able to make good his escape to his family fiefdom in Tikrit, where he remained until his dramatic capture in December 2003, when he was unceremoniously dragged from his underground hiding hole by a US Special Ops team. The operation was launched after the US military obtained intelligence that Saddam was being hidden by close family associates.

'Once Upon a Time in Iraq' book jacket
'Once Upon a Time in Iraq' book jacket

By the time of his detention, though, the coalition’s continued presence in Iraq had already started to turn sour. As Um Qusay, a prominent Tikriti figure, remarks: “When a stranger comes to occupy their area, they wouldn’t like it. There is degradation, and it wasn’t the Iraq we knew ... They stayed here too long and it became an occupation.”

One of the book's biggest strengths is the series of in-depth interviews the authors have with those who were responsible for interacting with Saddam after his capture. These include the US intelligence officers who had to ensure they had captured the right man – Saddam was infamous for the number of lookalikes he employed – and conducted lengthy interrogations about his decades of misrule. It also contains a number of interviews with the Iraqi officials responsible for bringing Saddam to trial and for conducting his execution.

The book makes clear that the Iraqi dictator was under no illusions about his ultimate fate, but remained defiant until the end, even making his customary denunciations of the West and Israel as he was being led to the gallows.

From the Iraqi perspective, though, the newly established government had little alternative than to pass the death sentence which, as Mowaffak Al Rubaie, who served as Iraq's national security adviser at the time of Saddam's execution in 2006, explains. Referring to the decades of oppression Iraq suffered under Saddam's rule, he concludes: "We should never, ever forget Saddam Hussein and his two sons and what they have done in Iraq."

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

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The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

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A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

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The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.

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Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.

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Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
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Sat Sep 1 - UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 - Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW

Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers

Gulf Men’s Open
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Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2

Gulf U19 Boys
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Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC

Gulf Women
Pool A – Kuwait Scorpions, Black Ruggers, Dubai Sports City Eagles, Dubai Hurricanes 2
Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers

Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
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