Why shouldn't he shoot people?

Why do so many people have this delusion that we can inflict democracy on people who have never had it, don't understand it, and quite possibly don't want it for precisely those reasons?

Let them have another brutal dictator. It's what they are used to. Remember, many of the locals who objected to Sod 'em Hussein were only objecting because they weren't in his clique.

This new head of government seems to have just what they need - strength and determination. If he's a softie, he won't last.

His major disadvantage is that he will be perceived as the creature of Dubya and his mates.