Tyranny's Ally: America's Failure to Defeat Saddam Hussein

by David Wurmser

This book argues that current policy, even if invigorated by more aggressive military efforts, will not bring the United States victory over Saddam and his regime.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0844740748
• ISBN13: 9780844740744
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: AEI Press
• Length: 150 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Saddam the key to PLO strength

It is amazing that Mr. Wurmser called it so early. The most significant mention in the book that is probably not noted sufficiently is his statement regarding the fact that so long as Saddam remains in power the PLO has a veto in the peace process.

The picture as it truly was...

David Wurmser writes a brilliant treatise on how regional competitions, an unguided foreign/national security bureaucracy and a distracted White House came to make the situation with Iraq an intractable one. His book requires an appreciation for the technical aspects of government and the politics of the interagency process. Withstanding that, the book speaks to these points without daunting or loosing the reader. While contemplating some of the darkest hours in Washington policy making, it is laced with a contagious optimism for the future of a country and it's people subjugated by Hussein. This book is worth every dime.

Explains why Saddam can only be removed by force.

David Wurmser explains that when dealing with a brutal dictator like Saddam Hussein diplomacy, sanctions, and UN pressure are essentially ineffective. Saddam will pursue the development of nuclear weapons, biological weapons, etc. at all costs. If it means his people starve and go without medication for sicknesses he will let that happen. Saddam is out to secure his own power in his country and the Middle East and will stop at nothing to do so. Richard Perle is one of the most logical and straight forward experts you will ever find on Iraq. We live in an unfortuante world where military action, violence, and force are sometimes necessary to secure peace and freedom. Many people don't understand that. They think asking for peace will bring peace. It simply does not work that way with dictators like Saddam Hussein. Wurmser points this out and backs it up. If you want to know why it's necessary to remove Saddam with force read this for the answers. People are quick to call men like Perle and Wurmer war mongers but they actaully desire peace as much or more than the people calling them that. However, they are educated enough and have enough vision to see that peace comes at a price when dealing with the likes of Saddam Hussein.