Ten years ago, on August 2, 1990, US policy in, toward and around Iraq dramatically changed course. From close if sometimes distasteful allies, Baghdad’s government and its leader, Saddam Hussein, were transformed overnight into Washington’s public enemy number one: “Hitler!” thundered President George Bush. The policies put in place then to implement the new approach, military assault and brutally effective civilian-targeting sanctions, remain largely unchanged today. The policies’ ostensible goal, primly defined as “regime change,” remains as distant as ever, and their target is still firmly in power. Continue reading…