Leadership Analysis: Lessons Learned from Saddam is a three-hour course that examines the judgments about Saddam and his regime prior to 2003 and compares them with what was learned after he was deposed and debriefed.  Decision makers in 2003 had an extraordinarily inaccurate understanding of the Saddam regime.  How did this happen?

Lessons from the Iraq case that inform both intelligence professionals and policy analysts will be examined.  For example, at critical times, there was a major difference between what policy makers believed they were saying and what Saddam was hearing.  A strong demarche by Washington standards was not necessarily strong to Saddam.

The course will review the assumptions, sources and assessments held about Saddam from the late 60’s until 2003.  Critical dynamics such as:  the fluctuation of access in Baghdad; shifting views/policies in Washington; Saddam’s confused understanding of Washington; and indeed his own image in the West will be discussed. 

An understanding of the misperceptions and miscalculations by both sides are presented.  Sources that were under-utilized or ignored are highlighted.  Finally, examples that bear on other difficult cases are recognized.

The course is led by Charles Duelfer, former Special Advisor to the Director of Central Intelligence for Iraq WMD and author of the so-called “Duelfer Report” on Iraq’s WMD programs.  Duelfer, more than any other senior American official, worked directly with the top levels of the Saddam Regime as Deputy Chairman of the UN weapons inspection organization called UNSCOM in the 1990’s.  He also worked directly with top-level Washington officials and witnessed first-hand the perceptions of both sides.  Duelfer’s book, “Hide and Seek:  The Search for Truth in Iraq”, is one of the essential primary works covering this period.  Duelfer has also recently analyzed pre-war intelligence assessments and compared with post-war realities. 

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants will have:

• A better understanding of the incremental accumulation of misunderstanding that grew on both sides in this historic case
• Developed an awareness of the difference between what is said by one party and what is heard by the intended audience
• Learned to evaluate the types of sources available and methods to test assessments of leaders
• A better understanding of the competing inputs from media that create conflicting images in the mind of the client and in the perspective of the subject

Who Should Attend: Everyone, in particular individuals in leadership positions and those who engage in decision-making
Length of Course: Three (3) days
Instructor: Charles Duelfer

*Although not required, we recommend that participants read Mr. Duelfer’s book, Hide and Seek: The Search For Truth In Iraq, prior to attending this course. When participants have a sound foundational knowledge of the topic, it enhances the discussion, making for a more constructive and unrestricted experience.

Submit your registration request form here.