GeorgeH - "most liberal, if you leave politics out of it"? What's that supposed to mean? I'd guess it translates as, "the ppl are friendly, but the regime in power is ruthless and oppressive".

In an "ideal" world, maybe sanctioned assassinations would be a better way of controlling mad leaders of countries - but you need someone "sane" to decide who's deserving. Anyone fancy the job, literally having power of life and death - you say the word, and a team of guys go out and shoot someone? Could you do that, and stay sane? A long succession of Presidents and Prime Ministers all over the world have got bogged down in dragged-out wars bcos they couldn't be effectively amoral enough. Fionn noted that even the soldiers (paid to kill) couldn't stomach any more killing of Iraqi soldiers, but if they had, would that horrible massacre have brought a better result now? Would any of us have been able to make that decision, and live with our consciences?

Gern, what would YOU do? How would you end it, whilst ensuring that Saddam Hussein isn't effectively rewarded for the invasion of Kuwait and the massacre of his countrymen?

Grab.