From the linked Atlantic article: > Samarai had detailed evidence to back up his views—photographs, news reports, numbers. The Iraqis could expect nothing more

From the linked Atlantic article: > Samarai had detailed evidence to back up his views—photographs, news reports, numbers. The Iraqis could expect nothing more than swift defeat, and the threat that Iran would take advantage of their weakness by invading from the north. And Saddam's response? >To Samarai's surprise, Saddam did not seem angry with him for delivering this bad news. In fact, he acted appreciative that Samarai had given it to him straight. "I trust you, and that's your opinion," he said. "You are a trustworthy person, an honorable person." Saddam didn't listen to him, but he also certainly didn't punish him for giving him the truth.