On Saddam Hussein's Imminent Demise

Today we learned what we already knew: that Saddam Hussein would be sentenced to death for the murderous misrule of his fellow Iraqis.

Many people consider a death sentence obvious justice for a man who committed genocide. Others are against any execution on principle.

I, frankly, wish Saddam would have received the death penalty for the murderous repression of the majority of his people rather than just the Anfal campaign against the Kurds. But, well, I suppose Saddam probably could only be tried for one campaign of genocide at a time.

I favor Saddam's execution for the same reason Niccolo Macchiavelli said that new rulers of states should execute former ruling families.

The execution of Saddam Hussein will remove the hope of Saddam and his supporters that as a result of post-American upheaval he might return to power or political prominence in Iraq (or a Gelbian Sunni mini-state) over the next decade or so.

Eliminating a rallying point for revanchists and end a threat to Iraqi unity is a good reason to go forward with the execution of Saddam Hussein. Once Saddam is executed, I hope that an bloody and ignominious chapter of middle east politics can be closed.