Realist Perspective on Saddam and the Weapons Inspections
Few issues on the international agenda draw as much attention as the saga between Iraq and the United Nations weapons inspections. ... One of these sanctions forbade Iraq to continue their weapons programs; they were no longer permitted to possess or attempt to obtain chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. ... commissioned a team of inspectors to oversee the destruction of current weapons systems, as well as to deter the creation of, or hunt for new weapons. ... accused Iraq of withholding information, and Saddam Hussein countered with accusations of espionage against the inspectors. ... is demanding that Iraq immediately permit the inspectors to return as well as disclose any weapons they currently posses, or are in the process of obtaining. ... Should Iraq and Saddam Hussein accept the inspectors willingly, and more so, should they truthfully disclose all information pertaining to their weapons programs? ... Taking a practical point of view, Saddam should be expected to act in his own self-interest and protect his leadership and his country however he should see fit, and if one of these tactics is dishonesty then so be it. ... Full disclosure of Iraqi weapons programs would clearly be of benefit to the citizens of Iraq, where yet another war would only bring more hardship to their lives. However the disclosure of this information would surly signify the end of Saddam’s regime, and since a realist would argue that conflict is unavoidable there is no reason to consider the concerns of the Iraq people. ... These statements represent Machiavelli’s realist perspectives; his opinions on the sincerity of leaders follow these guidelines. ... The disclosure of information pertaining to his weapons of mass destruction programs can indeed damage him. Hussein leads his people by fear, and the people’s fear of these weapons is well substantiated since Hussein has gassed his own people. ... Regardless of whether or not it is true, Saddam is perceived to posses these weapons, and that perception and subsequent fear has assisted Hussein greatly in the control of the citizens of Iraq. If Hussein was shown not to posses these weapons or was stripped of them he would loose a substantial amount of intimidation and in turn, his ability to lead by fear would be severally affected.