The Achilles Trap

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From bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Steve Coll comes a definitive exploration of the complex relationship between the United States and Saddam Hussein, revealing how human error, cultural miscommunication, and hubris culminated in a costly geopolitical conflict. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was justified by claims of weapons of mass destruction, but their absence forced a reevaluation of the political and intelligence failures that preceded the war and the ensuing civil strife. A key question remains: why did Saddam create the illusion of possessing dangerous weapons, risking his long-held power? Coll meticulously examines the power dynamics and geopolitics that led to America’s disastrous engagement with Iraq, detailing the miscalculations throughout its decades-long relationship with Saddam. He traces Saddam’s ascent to power in 1979 and the inception of Iraq’s secret nuclear program, offering insights into his motives through the perspectives of his inner circle. The narrative brings to life the diplomats, scientists, and military leaders who were compelled to follow a man responsible for immense suffering and violence. Utilizing unpublished sources, interviews, and Saddam’s own transcripts, Coll constructs a comprehensive portrait of a leader who perceived the world as a threat. This significant work highlights how the corruptions of power and diplomatic deception on both sides resulted in avoidable statecraf