Forum Lurker, when you say:

"Which is the problem, the regime, or Saddam? I have heard plenty of people say Saddam's a madman, and I agree, but is the rest of the Ba'ath part just as bad? If so, then see option two. It's not what I'd prefer, but a surgical strike executed by airmobile troops ought to be able to seize power fairly quickly and thouroughly."

You are jesting - aren't you??

The Republican Guard, the Special Republican Guard and the Fedayeen Saddam exist solely to keep this man safe and in power.

The Special Republican Guard alone has 4 Brigades located largely within Baghdad. That is 14 Battalions, an armoured brigade and an air defence command with elements to secure Baghdad's ground-based air defences against any attempt such as you propose - or against any attempted coup by the Iraqi Army.