Iraq handled the Saddam execution by themselves -- except for the key role played by U.S. officials

So, the U.S. was involved with Saddam's hanging before we weren't involved in Saddam's hanging. Or something like that. Considering this was one of the most anticipated events in Iraq since the U.S. invasion, The NY Times examination of the events surrounding the execution give insight in to just how disorganized and chaotic that country is:

American officials in Iraq have been reluctant to say much publicly about the pell-mell nature of the hanging, apparently fearful of provoking recriminations in Washington, where the Bush administration adopted a hands-off posture, saying the timing of the execution was Iraq’s to decide.

While privately incensed at the dead-of-night rush to the gallows, the Americans here have been caught in the double bind that has ensnared them over much else about the Maliki government — frustrated at what they call the government’s failure to recognize its destructive behavior, but reluctant to speak out, or sometimes to act, for fear of undermining Mr. Maliki and worsening the situation.

The article is worth a read. Iraq is a mess.

Bush wanted Saddam's scalp. He got it. Iraq is a bigger mess now. Heckuva job, Bushie.