[Ditto]

Saddam Hussein has taken such awful risks throughout his career not because he "miscalculated," as the game theorists assert, but because he was chasing his vision.

Vision my ass. How about because he's a damn psychopath? Psychopaths thrive on narcissism and their ever expanding egos drive them to take ever greater risks. Saddam is no different than a Ted Bundy or Jeffery Dahlmer --- he just has a whole nation to play with and an "Arab Culture" that bows to violence from any strong man that comes along.

[Fzob]

How about because he's a damn psychopath?

I don't think the author would disagree. Neither would I. No matter where his vision is derived, you are correct he has had a whole nation to play with for decades. There are 1 million Baath party members. Frighteningly many have been indoctrinated into his vision.

[Russian Sage]

Saddam is no different than a Ted Bundy or Jeffery Dahlmer...

Charlie Manson comes to mind as the twin seperated at birth.