WASHINGTON -- The capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should, in and of itself, make a major difference in the U.S.-led operation to bring peace and stability to Iraq. But it is also important to seize this opportunity and go even further. As unpalatable as it may sound, we should consider a certain type of deal with Hussein -- as long as it leaves him in prison for life. That could take us even closer to success in Iraq.

First, though, just how big is this news? Obviously we have captured one of the chief nemeses of the United States. Symbolically, that is gratifying. All of those hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who lost family members to Hussein can hope for justice; so can the thousands of American families who have had fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters and children killed or wounded in the two major wars the U.S. has waged against Hussein since 1991. Politically, the Bush administration will also benefit as those who have been mocking it for its inability to locate Hussein will now be silenced, at least on this important point.

But the real significance of this event goes deeper. In recent months, as the pace and lethality of insurgent activity have increased, and as attacks have taken on a nationwide character, it has become clear that there is some loose countrywide insurgency driving much of the violence in Iraq. Hussein may not have operationally controlled the resistance from the spider holes he was presumably frequenting over that time, but he probably was key player nonetheless.