Insane <> stupid
It seems to be that Saddam is yet another in a long line of sociopaths who achieve political power. Other examples include Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Stalin, Hitler, and Mao. He has maintained power by being ruthless enough to exterminate the opposition. Remember when one of his sons-in-law defected with one of Saddam's daughters a few years ago? They were lured back to Iraq and the husband was murdered. Just goes to show his son-in-law wasn't very bright, but then a dumb son-in-law isn't much of a threat.