Goharley,

That senario seems highly unlikely to me. Here's why...

Saddam suffers from what I call Michael Jackson syndrome. He lacks what Jackson lacks- people who provide a challenging view to his reality.

In Saddam's reality, he's unstoppable. Why didn't he back down before the last gulf war and retreat? Because he honestly thought that his army was unbeatable by the US. Now we can look at that as extremely naive, but he doesn't have advisors to tell him "hey, the US is going to pound you in to submission in a ground assult that will only last HOURS... maybe you should re-evaluate your game plan." Which is just like Michael Jackson doesn't have people around him to say, "it is inappropriate to sleep with young boys."

Saddam would kill those people who challenge his perception- killed one of his top advisors about a month ago, in fact.

IMO, Saddam will die in Iraq unless taken out to stand trial for war crimes.

Saddam came to power in 1968 when he was instituted as vice president after a revolt and his party (Baath) taking control. In I believe 1979 he became president by deposing of Bakr. Before 1968 he was in exhile- he did try to assassinate their prime minister. At that point in history, it was the high point of "Al Arab" nationalism, a pan-arab movement which united Syria and Egypt for a short time.

Today, I don't think there is a country that could protect him- or would want him. Lebenon, perhaps, since it is lawless.. Syria is unlikely because Isreal (IMO) would not allow him so close.

And as I said before, Bin Laden is not a friend to Saddam. They would not team up for a revival attempt of "damn yankees."