Who killed more Iraqis: Saddam Hussein or George W. Bush?

To determine who was responsible for more Iraqi deaths, it is essential to examine the historical context and the available data on the regimes and conflicts in question.

Saddam Hussein's Regime

Under Saddam Hussein's rule, the human rights record in Iraq was among the worst globally. The regime was responsible for numerous atrocities, including:

• The Anfal genocide, which resulted in the deaths of 50,000 to 100,000 Kurds1.
• The suppression of the 1991 uprisings, which led to the deaths of 25,000 to 100,000 civilians and rebels1.
• Systematic torture, mass murder, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other forms of repression that led to an estimated 250,000 to 290,000 deaths or disappearances1.

The Iraq War and George W. Bush's Policies

The Iraq War, initiated by the George W. Bush administration, led to significant casualties and instability in Iraq. Key points include:

• The war itself and the subsequent insurgency resulted in an estimated 150,000 to over a million deaths, including more than 100,000 civilians2.
• The conflict also led to a sectarian civil war and the rise of extremist groups like the Islamic State, contributing to further deaths and displacement2.

Comparison

While both Saddam Hussein's regime and the consequences of the Iraq War under George W. Bush's administration resulted in substantial loss of life, the numbers suggest the following:

• Saddam Hussein's Regime: Directly responsible for an estimated 250,000 to 290,000 deaths or disappearances through various forms of repression and violence1.
• George W. Bush's Policies (Iraq War): Indirectly and directly associated with an estimated 150,000 to over a million deaths, including the long-term consequences of the war and the insurgency it spawned2.

Given these estimates, the Iraq War initiated by George W. Bush's administration is associated with a potentially higher number of deaths, especially when considering the broader and long-term consequences of the conflict. However, it is crucial to note that these deaths were not solely the result of direct actions by Bush or the U.S. military but also included deaths from the ensuing insurgency, civil war, and other secondary effects of the invasion. In contrast, Saddam Hussein's regime was directly responsible for the atrocities committed during his rule.