NOTE: NO FURTHER DISCOUNT FOR THIS PRINT PRODUCT- OVERSTOCK SALE -- Significantly reduced list price This study examines why Saddam Hussein pursued nuclear weapons and, as abasic aspect of that question, how he might have employed that capability had heacquired it, whether for deterrence, arfighting, or something else. As the keydecision maker in Iraq, Saddam's own thinking was central. His perception ofregional threats, primarily from Iran and Israel, were a prime motivator. In addition, Saddam viewed acquiring nuclear weapons as a potent vehicle to help legitimizehis regime and burnish his personal image as leader both at home and in the ArabWorld, as a modernizer and defender of national interests.A better understandingof the Iraqi case can also clarify the enduring issues related to how regional leadersmay view nuclear weapons in this world of looming proliferation.

Overall, this study suggests that any trend toward nuclear proliferation couldcontribute to destabilizing effects as was the case with Iraq and argues for thedesirability of continuing vigorous international efforts to halt or slow proliferation. Other related products:

Nuclear Weapons Materials Gone Missing: What Does History Teach is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01130-3

Saddam's Generals: Perspectives on the Iran-Iraq War is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-020-01613-6

Defense & National Security resources collection can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/security-defense-law-enforcement/defense-national-security?page=1"
About the Author: About the AuthorNorman Cigar is director of regional studies and aMinerva Research Chair holderat theMarine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia. Before retiring, he was on thestaff of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Marine CorpsSchool of Advanced Warfighting, where he taught military theory, strategy andpolicy, military history, and regional studies. Previously, he was a senior political militaryanalyst in the Pentagon, where he was responsible for theMiddle East inthe Office of the Army s Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, and supported theSecretary of the Army, the Chief of Staff of the Army, and Congress withintelligence. He also represented the Army on national-level intelligence issueswith the interagency intelligence community. During the Gulf War, he was theArmy s senior political-military intelligence staff officer on the DesertShield/Desert Storm Task Force.He is the author of numerous works on politics and security issues dealing with theMiddle East and the Balkans, and has been a consultant at the InternationalCriminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at the Hague.He has also taught atthe National Defense Intelligence College, was a visiting fellow at the Institutefor Conflict Analysis & Resolution, George Mason University, and is a seniorassociate with the Public International Law and Policy Group.He is now focusingon the strategic and military aspects of radical Islamic movements and onproliferation issues.Dr. Cigar holds a D. Phil. from Oxford (St. Antony s College) in Middle EastHistory and Arabic; a Master of International Affairs degree from the School ofInternational and Public Affairs, and a Certificate from the Middle East Institute, Columbia University; and a Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence degreefrom the National Defense Intelligence College. He has studied and traveledwidely in the Middle East."