Saddam Hussein

From 1979 to 2003, Saddam Hussein served as the president of Iraq. His sick need for power, ultimate power, no matter how great the cost in human blood, ran through every aspect of his life. He is considered one of the most brutal dictators in modern history.

He was notorious for using terror against his own people as well as planning and carrying out terrible genocide against the rebels opposing his rule.

In 1980, Hussein attacked Iran, and the war resulted in a draw with a million casualties. Massive numbers of people were killed by the mustard, nerve gas, and toxic chemicals used by his army.

With one million casualties, the conflict came to a standstill. He attacked Kuwait in 1990 without any experience, sparking the First Gulf War and another 85,000 deaths. After the war, uprisings claimed the lives of about 150,000 civilians. The list continues until American and Allied forces ousted him in 2003, and he was executed in 2006.

Born: April 28, 1937

Died: December 30, 2006

Country: Iraq