Barry Lando, a former 60 Minutes producer, examines how the United States has meddled in Iraq dating back to the Eisenhower administration. He also looks at how the Reagan and Bush administration helped arm Saddam Hussein at a time when he was committing his deadliest atrocities. [includes rush transcript]

One month has passed since the execution of Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi dictator was hanged for ordering the killing of 148 Shiite villagers in 1982. His death drew a mixed response --- in Iraq, widely celebrated by Shiites and Kurds, while condemned by the Sunni community he came from. Around the world, British Prime Minister Tony Blair was among those to applaud Hussein's death but to condemn the way he was executed.

Less vocal – or heard -- were those critics who said Saddam was executed before he could stand trial for his worst atrocities. A just trial, these critics say, would have also charged or subpoenaed many of the world leaders, arms merchants and oil companies that supported him.

Well today, we look at the trial that could have been.

• Barry Lando, author of "Web of Deceit: The History of Western Complicity in Iraq, From Churchill to Kennedy to George W. Bush." He is a former investigative producer for CBS “60 Minutes." He runs a blog at barrylando.com.