Final answer:
Saddam Hussein gained complete control over Iraq through a coup d'etat, suppressing political opposition, and forming alliances with neighboring countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Saddam Hussein gained complete control over Iraq through a combination of tactics, including:
- Through a coup d'etat: Hussein came to power in 1979 after a coup against the previous leader, Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr.
- By suppressing political opposition: Hussein maintained control by imprisoning or executing political opponents, censoring the media, and establishing a pervasive network of informants.
- By forming alliances with neighboring countries: Although this was not a major factor in his complete control, Hussein did have alliances with countries like the Soviet Union and France.