Tuollaf43 wrote:

: The capture of Saddam Hussein (assuming that he is saddam and not a
: double or a plant) is a great morale boost for the US and assorted
: allies in Iraq. Wonder what effect, if any, it will have on continued
: resistance in Iraq.

Very hard to predict. Saddam was caught, if I understood
the words of gen. Sanchez correctly, hiding in a hole wich
was dug in the basement of a house and camouflaged with
debris and dirt. As close to grave as you can get while
still alive; his role in the resistance was probably
insignificant. Judging from the look of him, his first
priorities would have been a square meal and a haircut.

His capture will be a demoralizing blow to the Baathist
resistance groups. But for other opposition movements,
for example hardline muslim groups, it may actually have
a positive influence on recruitment, because they can now
no longer be accused of fighting for Saddam.

Saddam's capture will convince many Iraqis that there will
be no return to the old regime and make them more willing
to cooperate with the CPA. On the other hand, it also
removes one of the major justifications for the continued
presence of coalition troops in Iraq.

I suspect that in the final balance, it will make little
difference one way or the other.

--
Emmanuel Gustin