Saddam is not rational There are people who seem convinced that Saddam is a calculating dictator who can be deterred. They argue that Saddam should be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, because he understands the massive US retaliation that would accompany a use of WMD on American citizens. How then do they explain Saddam's failed assassination of former President Bush in 1993? It's well documented that the attempt on Bush's life was authorized by Saddam. Had the plan succeeded, Saddam would have had revenge...at the cost of his life and his regime. Even Clinton would not have stuck with cruise missiles after the murder of a US president. In other words - Saddam did something to hurt the US out of spite. If successful, the action would have led to his destruction , but this obviously didn't enter into his calculations. How then can you be sure that he wouldn't use a WMD on the United States, perhaps through a proxy?