This phase of settling scores lasted only two years. The invasion of Kuwait shape-shifted him into the national populist hero who managed to win the propaganda war, brainwashing masses into believing in the unbelievable. He also erected an image larger than life in the minds of millions of Arabs by steeling the swords and armour of their ancient heroes still alive in the oral tradition of folktales. Saddam is the kind of the megalomaniac tyrant whose real strength drives from his enemies weaknesses and who cannot be stopped but by overwhelming force, but this view is not shared by Arab masses. His Megalomaniac ideas appeal to Arabs who, having been victimised by their own rulers, escape into the romantic realm of folk tales to search for a hero and martyrdom is a short cut.
History is an important element of the national psychic in the Arab world.
The seventh century martyrdom of Al-Hussein the grand son of the founder of Islam Prophet Muhammad near karblla in Southern Iraq is still the foundation of the culture in Iraq. They blame America and Britain for the starvation of the Iraqi children, but see the palaces as a mater of national dignity and a larger Arab honour. The roots of that belief could be traced into the Arab legends of individual heroes. All were leaders, or tribal chiefs, who enjoyed a lavish life style at a time of extreme poverty that hit the population often because of war that the leaders started over what they declared to be the national honour. The martyrdom of the population was part of a great on going festival.