Too subtle for me - I don't know what your point is, - is there an implication that somehow I am supportive of Saddam/Ahmadinejad?
The reality is that right now things are going pretty well for Iran. They look good to the Arab 'street' with their missle damaging an Israeli ship, and the focus is off their nuclear program. Not only that, the Europeans and others are probably even less inclined than they were a few days ago about pressuring Iran for fear of a greater conflict in the middle east.
Ahmadinejad may be insane, but that does not make him stupid. He and his backers have successfully put the west in a very difficult and dangerous situation with their nuclear program - perhaps the most difficult we've faced in many generations.
Your original suggestion and statement was to not underestimate the enemy. My point was that Saddam DID obviously underestimate his enemies and well...look where he is now.