THE incident was real, yet more shocking than any theatrical drama. It took place at dawn on Idul Adha, the Muslim day of sacrifice. Sixty-nine-year-old Saddam Hussein met his end at the gallows, fearless and defiant to the end.

He refused the hood offered by the hangman, exchanged insults with and sneered at witnesses, and even had a small argument with the hangman before uttering the final words of his faith and leaving this world. From the unfr