War on Iraq

War on Iraq

Since the commencement of the controversial war in Iraq, people have been looking for other solutions to the conflict. Many suggestions have been voiced, but none so much and so loudly as the suggestion of simple assassination. People do not understand that assassination is not only impossible, but also never an end to conflict. Assassination of Saddam Hussein is not a viable option to end the U.S. conflict in Iraq.

The first and main reason that assassinating Hussein is unattainable is that the U.S. has a strict policy against assassination. In a section of the order labeled "Restrictions on Intelligence Activities," Ford outlawed political assassination: Section 5(g), entitled "Prohibition on Assassination," states: "No employee of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, political assassination." Even if Hussein was locatable, the U.S. cannot even hire others to assassinate him. It would be absolutely against the law. In addition, according to a former senior Special Forces officer with firsthand experience of Gulf War assassination operations, "No one can tell you we weren't trying to kill Saddam. We were, and that's a fact. We weren't very good because he is a [master] at deception, and keeping his presence low-profile." Hussein is easily smart enough to evade assassins. He has had experience doing so, and was previously successful in eluding the U.S. Whether due to its own laws, or Hussein's unique abilities at deception, he would not be found to assassinate.

Also, Hussein is not the only threat. If we were to assassinate Hussein, we would only be putting his kids into power. This is not a smart idea. Put someone into power who was already ruthless and suspected of torture, and kill his father, and you are asking for trouble. If Hussein is killed, it will not stop the tyranny in Iraq. Are we willing to kill his entire family to attempt to keep Iraq safe? Even were we to do this, we cannot assume that the person who came after him would be any better. Hussein needs to be stopped, but the real threat is the entire dictatorship.

Hussein is a chameleon, and ours is a law-abiding country. Because of this, though it seems like a perfectly plausible and simple solution, assassination is not the answer to the war. Thousands will die before Hussein can be stopped. A quick solution?