Ep 2. The Hunt for Saddam's Secret Weapons

The NOVA episode titled "The Hunt for Saddam's Secret Weapons" follows the search for chemical and biological weapons that the United States believed Saddam Hussein had hidden throughout Iraq in the early 2000s. With tensions high after the 9/11 attacks, the fear of Saddam as a possible source of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) loomed large. The episode takes a closer look at the intelligence that led to this belief, the efforts to locate the suspected weapons, and the eventual discovery that they did not exist.

The program begins by exploring the intelligence that purportedly led the U.S. government to believe that Saddam was actively developing and stockpiling WMDs. Through interviews with intelligence experts, the show reveals how satellite imagery, intercepted communications, and human sources all played a role in shaping this belief. The experts also discuss how the interpretation of this information may have been influenced by political pressures to justify the decision to invade Iraq.

Against this backdrop of heightened fear and intelligence gathering, the episode delves into the logistics of searching for WMDs in a country as vast and complex as Iraq. A team of U.S. weapons inspectors, led by UN inspector David Kay, was dispatched to conduct the search. They faced a daunting array of challenges, including a lack of reliable information, the need to navigate a hostile and war-torn environment, and the difficulty of searching for weapons that could be well-concealed.

The NOVA episode also looks at the science behind chemical and biological weapons and the technologies used to detect them. Experts explain the differences between various types of weapons, how they can be dispersed, and their effects on people and the environment. The show also reveals some of the high-tech equipment and techniques used in the search, including chemical sniffers and specialized laboratories.

As the search continued, the show explores the mounting frustration of the inspectors as they struggled to find any concrete evidence of WMDs. One of the key sources of intelligence - an Iraqi defector codenamed "Curveball" - was found to have provided false information that may have further fueled the belief in WMDs. The inspectors also faced skepticism and criticism from some quarters, with some accusing them of being too slow or not searching hard enough.

Ultimately, the NOVA episode reveals how the search for WMDs in Iraq ended in failure, with no evidence of active programs or stockpiles ever being found. David Kay, who led the search, acknowledges his disappointment and the political implications of the failure to find WMDs. The program closes with a reflection on the legacy of this search, including its impact on public trust in government intelligence and the ongoing debate over the decision to invade Iraq.

Overall, the NOVA episode "The Hunt for Saddam's Secret Weapons" provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking look at one of the most controversial events in recent U.S. history. It examines the complex interplay of intelligence, politics, and science that led to the belief in WMDs in Iraq, and offers a nuanced assessment of the successes and failures of the search. Through interviews with experts and insiders, the show sheds light on the challenges of conducting such a search in a complex and uncertain environment, and on the long-term consequences of the failure to find these weapons.