What with this all being way over my head. I'm not sure I should comment. But:)
It seems to me that the Republicans have done a great job of spinning this, to cover their ass, over the years.
At the time, saddam was universally distrusted by his nabors. There would have been the mandatory statements of outrage, no doubt. But in privet, nothing but a big sigh of relief.
To this day he is considered little more then a middle eastern version of a banana republic strong man. And this destabilization, sales pitch, is nothing but Rep. spin.
Also most of the "experts" on the region, that I have read. Indicate that the locals would love to see his bunch gone. So why on earth would we want an occupying force. Think Afghanistan.