@maryamishani: 1 October 2026 - Yesterday, the last American and British troops left Iraq. If that statement surprises you, you're not alone. Most people think the Iraq war ended in 2011, when the last convoys of American troops drove out into Kuwait. Why the US went back, and stayed another twelve years, is really at the heart of how we ended up where we are today. After all that happened in these 23 years, the build up to the war, the manufacturing of consent. The brutal air campaign and then the ground in invasion. The capture of Saddam Hussein. The circus of his trial. His execution. The resurgence of Al Qaeda. The sectarian fighting. The first elections. The rise of ISIS. It’s surprising the way that the end has been so underwhelming. At least two hundred thousand Iraqi civilians were killed in the war. Far more, if you count deaths caused by the deprivation. The water that wasn't clean. The medicine that never came. I met some of the bravest people of my life there. Young reporters, many of them women, who came to my trainings hungry to learn how to protect themselves and their stories to learn documentation tools. Cyber tools. It was their first taste of a free press, and they fought for it for every inch of it. I write a bit about the legacy of this war on the wider Persian Gulf region, on America itself on my Patreon. 🔗 in bio

Tay :

Maryam, this video was fantastic. Thank you for keeping us informed.

Mehret :

Could you cover the civil war in Ethiopia and how or if it could impact the overall geopolitical situation?

Louise :

A very heartfelt perspective. Thanks for reminding us all about Iraq..it rarely gets a mention these days.

coeurberry 🍓 :

It was difficult to be against the wars back then. The social pressure was intense.

Danefæ :

Gen X’er here from Denmark. We knew. We protested. But it wasn’t enough.

melsibbitt🇨🇦 :

dates and a cup of tea, so simple yet so meaningful

finnthehuman919 :

I' m am ex-marine marines. I was there like yourself, but in a different role. Firstly, you are right. I always have this weird thing about eating Dates. My ex wife used to go crazy when I go shopping., there are lots of boxes of Dates. However, I got from with some Iraqi family. I use to visit there homes with all sort of military rations. I thought I knew about Dates. I takes and ate some the most tastiest datDates in my life. Can't say touch much here. But, I helped some of the settled in the UK. From when I returned until now, I get my month ration of Dates from Iraq sent to me.

wolf_bare :

This is so important! One thing that sticks in my mind as you discuss this experience is the amount of war movies that came out during this time. In hindsight, brazen propaganda framing the US as heroes and dehumanising the Iraqi people.

lil ida :

💕 what a heartfelt perspective

n :

the importance of good reporters because you precisely summarized this amazing work

Summer Starr :

brilliant overview and analysis. thank you so much.

tulipsandcoffee :

Very emotional ❤️Can you speak more about that soveregnity? Where does money from the Iraqi oil go? And general, how is money moving now? Just curious.

WindingRd :

After draining them dry of oil

catlike70 :

We need to get past this illusion that democracies actually represent the people 😏

stay, play, learn, be :

super interesting thank you

Cindy 🇺🇸 :

I didn't know much of this and I had forgotten other parts. Thank you for teaching and reminding us. 🫶

yoshiguy36 :

Thank you for reminding us and providing this perspective. The Iraq War was my first lesson that too many of my fellow Americans place no value in the lives of people in certain parts of the world.

Zack Sparoh :

I do remember I'll never forget it. I'll keep remember and be vigilant in the future..

Ocean :

Thx for your work and not forgetting

Ishan 🔻 :

Beefycarpet :

Was this war necessary. Our hearts bleed

Binta123🇵🇸🇱🇧🇨🇬🇸🇩🇬🇼 :

Ameen

Chris Burbridge :

I marched three weeks in a row, and they were huge!

argosskylos :

Thank you for this overview of the US war on Iraq. Much needed perspective!

ataye1 :

2007 YouTube was on fire back then. Before Google brought it and started that censorship program.