[platinumrad]

Was Saddam's Iraq (post Desert Storm when he no longer had the ability to wage offensive war) really that bad compared to what came after?

[marcosdumay]

For a large share of the population, yes, by a huge margin. For an even larger share, no, by a large margin.

Both regimes were deeply racist.

Anyway, I don't think that information entered on the US decision making in any way.

[Marsymars]

You mean immediately post Desert Storm when this happened? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Iraqi_uprisings