Frontline Season 20 Episode 6 Gunning for Saddam

In the season 20 episode 6 of Frontline titled "Gunning for Saddam," the show takes viewers on a journey to explore the Bush administration's decision to go to war with Iraq in 2003. The episode centers around the key players in the decision-making process, including President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

Using archival footage and interviews with experts and former policymakers, Frontline investigates the Bush administration's claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and had ties to terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda. The show examines how these claims were used to build support for the war among the American public and Congress.

The episode also delves into the role of the media in the lead-up to the war. Frontline explores how major news outlets, including The New York Times, reported on the evidence for Iraq's WMDs and how these reports were used by the Bush administration to justify the war. The episode raises important questions about the responsibility of the press in holding political leaders accountable for their actions.

In addition to exploring the decision to go to war with Iraq, "Gunning for Saddam" also examines the aftermath of the war. The episode investigates the role of the U.S. military in Iraq and the difficult conditions faced by American soldiers and Iraqi civilians. It also explores the rise of sectarian violence in Iraq and the efforts of the U.S. military to combat it.

Throughout the episode, Frontline provides insightful analysis of the political, military, and social complexities of the war in Iraq. The show asks probing questions about the legitimacy of the war, the motives behind it, and the consequences of the decision to invade. Overall, "Gunning for Saddam" is a thought-provoking exploration of one of the most consequential events in recent American history.