The MEK was given refuge in Iraq by former leader Saddam Hussein, but has fallen out of favour with Iraq's new Shia-dominated leadership.

BBC: US removes Iran group MEK from terror list

The first and last word concerning the capture of Saddam Hussein or his fate must be given to the Iraqi people, the government said.

CNN: Middle East leaders welcome news

Given the close relationship between Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and Saddam Hussein (the former served for years as the latter's KGB case officer), the apparent compromise of that operation may have occurred when sensitive intelligence collected by the Lourdes sigint facilities was turned over to Baghdad.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

This advice is at least every bit as flawed as that given in 1990 by then-General Powell to the previous President Bush to the effect that economic sanctions would compel Saddam Hussein to quit Kuwait.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Too clever by half?