"Saddam is a familiar dictatorial aggressor, with traditional goals for his aggression"

Brent Scowcroft's description of Saddam Hussein as a "familiar dictatorial aggressor, with standard objectives for his aggression" reveals numerous layers of interpretation grounded in historic context, political analysis, and understanding of international relations. This characterization can be dissected to understand the nature of Saddam Hussein's management, his inspirations, and how they line up with a broader spectrum of autocratic behavior observed historically.

Firstly, identifying Saddam as a "familiar dictatorial aggressor" links him to a long lineage of leaders who have wielded power through authoritarian methods, combining control over their nations often through oppression, worry, and a cult of character. Such leaders frequently prioritize their own power and the upkeep of the routine above all, frequently resorting to military aggression as a means to improve their power and eminence. This familiarity suggests that Saddam's actions, especially throughout occasions like the intrusion of Kuwait, are not unmatched or unexpected; they fit a recognized pattern of habits seen in dictatorial regimes worldwide. Dictators frequently pursue aggressive actions to distract from domestic concerns, foster nationalistic sentiments, or expand their territorial, political, or economic control.

The phrase "standard goals for his aggression" contextualizes Saddam's aspirations within traditional objectives such as territorial expansion, resource acquisition, or tactical supremacy. In Saddam's case, his invasion of Kuwait in 1990 can be viewed through this lens. The strategic objectives behind his hostility included controlling Kuwait's considerable oil reserves, thereby increasing Iraq's influence and incomes, and possibly gaining higher control over OPEC. This hostility can also be comprehended as an attempt to remedy perceived historical complaints and to place Iraq as a dominant local power.

Scowcroft's assessment underscores a realist point of view in worldwide relations, where state actors typically pursue power and security through conventional geopolitical techniques, sometimes at the expense of worldwide law and standards. By using the terms "familiar" and "standard", Scowcroft highlights that while the geopolitical landscape continuously evolves, some basic aspects of human political behavior remain the same, reflected in the age-old tactics of authoritarian leaders like Saddam Hussein.