Paul Wolfowitz, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, states that the fear of Saddam Hussein's regime is still alive in Iraq. Wolfowitz, who has recently returned from Iraq, said on Wednesday that the killing of Saddam Hussein's sons should help reduce this fear and calm the situation. He noted that most conditions in Iraq post-war are significantly better than anticipated. However, he admitted that U.S. officials underestimated some aspects of the war and that a considerable number of Iraqi forces did not join the coalition as expected. Furthermore, planners failed to foresee that remnants of Saddam's regime would resort to what he termed 'contract killings' against coalition forces.
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U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense: Fear of Saddam Hussein's Regime Still Alive in Iraq - 2003-07-23
Feb 10, 2026
February 10, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
Paul Wolfowitz, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, emphasizes that fear of Saddam Hussein's regime persists in Iraq. He acknowledges improvements in post-war conditions but admits underestimations of Iraqi resistance and the actions of Saddam's loyalists. This highlights ongoing challenges in stabilizing Iraq after the war.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
Wolfowitz's comments highlight the complexities of post-war Iraq and the persistent challenges facing U.S. efforts to stabilize the region.
👥 Key Players
Paul Wolfowitz
MENTIONED
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense
"Wolfowitz was a key architect of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iraq, which has implications for Iran's regional strategy."
📰 What Happened
Paul Wolfowitz stated that fear of Saddam Hussein's regime still exists in Iraq, despite improvements post-war. He acknowledged underestimations of Iraqi resistance and the ongoing threat from loyalists of Saddam Hussein.
- Wolfowitz noted the killing of Saddam's sons should help reduce fear in Iraq.
- He admitted that many Iraqi forces did not join the coalition as expected.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: The ongoing instability in Iraq could provide opportunities for Iran to expand its influence in the region, while also posing security challenges.
🌍 Regional: The fear of Saddam's regime could lead to increased sectarian tensions and instability in Iraq, affecting neighboring countries.
🌐 International: The U.S. acknowledgment of challenges in Iraq may impact international perceptions of U.S. foreign policy effectiveness in the Middle East.
📚 Background
Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country faced significant challenges in establishing security and governance, with remnants of the old regime posing ongoing threats.
U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East
Post-war reconstruction in Iraq
📡 Source:
INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence:
70%
As a statement from a U.S. government official, it reflects the official U.S. perspective on the situation in Iraq, which may be influenced by political agendas.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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