James Joyner mulls over the conundrum over trying Saddam Hussein:

Trying deposed tyrants is always rather tricky. Almost by definition, they didn’t violate the laws of the country they were running, since being above the law is rather the nature of tyranny. Holding them accountable ex post facto under the new laws of Iraq, assuming they are written, is dubious as well. And international law is incredibly ad hoc on these matters. There are, of course, precedents (Nuremburg and the Milosovik cases, most notably) but they’re rather controversial and viewed by many as victor’s justice.

— James Joyner: Saddam Lawyer Says Trial Mockery of Justice

Part of me wants Saddam murdered by someone with a vendetta against him. That person would then be tried as a murderer and either incarcerated or executed. He’ll be a national hero either way. The other part of me wants that Saddam bought the farm in the hole he was in. DNA testing would have confirmed his identity anyway. This whole mess reeks.