Because of the extremist views of the two leaders, they brought war to their countries. Not only did it cause over 1.5 million deaths but lasted longer the both world wars. Major Cities became targets of in the war causing mass civilian deaths.  In both countries, people were suppressed by their governments. Many people were killed by their government if they were suspected to be a threat to the government. A lot of these people were falsely accused and killed out of fear. Iranians were constantly arresting and executing communists in their country because they didn't believe in the Islamic regime. Same went for Iraq when Saddam ordered a chemical attack on the Kurds of Halabja because he thought of them as a treacherous fifth column.