For the Iraqis, a Missile Deal That Went Sour

Initially reported in the Central Intelligence Agency's October report on Saddam Hussein's weapons programs, it now seems that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il "took Saddam to the cleaners" by cheating him of $10 million. In exchange for the money, which may have been a down payment, North Korea reportedly promised to turn over the technology of their Rodong missile program. It seems that technology was never actually given to Iraq. The negotiations were at least partly conducted in Syria. If the Syrian government had knowledge of the deal, then the US is claiming they were in violation of international law; however, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad claims no knowledge of the negotiations. – YaleGlobal