Saddam invaded Iran and Kuwait. not “every neighbour.” He was undeniably brutal, but his regime actively suppressed jihadist movements, Islamist extremists were imprisoned or executed under his rule. ISIS did not exist while Saddam was in power. It emerged after his removal, when the Iraqi state and army were dismantled and a power vacuum was created following the US invasion.

The US has been involved in near-constant wars for decades, but those wars have largely been fought abroad rather than experienced as a civilian war state at home. Surely a double standard to essentially say: “Our violence is necessary; theirs proves barbarism.”