"Any comparisons between the Soviet experience and ours is strictly interpretive--and probably accurate."

And what would have happenned if the Soviets decided that since they had the right to put nukes in Cuba and they had decided to ignore the American threat of turning the Cold War hot?
[Btw, {unlike Saddam's postion regarding it's WMD obligation} it was completely legal for the Soviets to put nukes in Cuba.]
Saddam was simply stupid. If he instead was the Soviets was making this decision, he probably would provoked a hot war which would threaten an "all out" nuclear war. Fortuately for the world, the Soviets were more reasonable than Saddam.
Saddam was no more than a village idiot that dared the sole superpower to pull the trigger. He could have been a free man and had a very comfortable retirement. Instead he will face justice from Iraqi people and unless he grows a brain cell of two, this justice will not treat him kindly.