A Republican turning royalist? Saddam Husayn and the dilemmas of succession

The issue of succession has forced itself upon the Iraqi scene in the last few years for three main reasons: President Saddam Husayn's policies aimed at preserving as much power as possible in the hands of his family and establishing the basis for hereditary rule; growing pressure from the USA, Britain and the Iraqi opposition in the diaspora, to bring about a change of regime in Iraq; and the 'trend' towards a generational change of leaders now under way throughout the region. All this has resulted in the flourishing of possible scenarios regarding post-Saddam Iraq. This article focuses on one aspect only - Husayn's own views, dilemmas and often contradictory actions connected with the issue of succession.