--This argument I always found unconvincing. yes, corruption, cronyism, etc. characterised the Saddam reign. the 67 palaces however could never have been built and the same impact on Iraq would have been felt as concerned sanctions. when ya can't even import lead pencils, medicines, etc....you can be as saintly as you believe necessary in running a country and you're gonna be in trouble, big trouble. and Brown's argument really misses the key point which Dillip Hiro provides a fine counterargument to in his book on Iraq, namely that the sanctions were imposed for the purpose of regime change, not regime reform, which Clinton and Bush both were open about. Talk about temerity and imperial reach.