Ep 17. Once Upon a Time in Iraq

In the latest episode of Frontline, entitled "Once Upon a Time in Iraq," viewers are taken on a journey through one of the most controversial and tumultuous periods of modern history - the Iraq War. This in-depth documentary explores the war through the eyes of those who lived through it, from soldiers on the ground to Iraqi civilians caught in the crossfire.

Through a combination of powerful interviews and archival footage, "Once Upon a Time in Iraq" seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the war came about, what it was like to fight in it, and the devastating impact it had on the country and its people. Along the way, viewers will hear from a diverse range of individuals, including US Army soldiers, Iraqi citizens, and journalists who covered the conflict.

One of the key themes explored in the episode is the idea that the war was based on flawed intelligence and misguided assumptions. Many of the soldiers who are interviewed admit that they were ill-prepared for the realities they faced on the ground, and that they often had to improvise in order to adapt to the situation. Moreover, the film challenges the notion that the US invasion was a necessary response to the threat of terrorism, instead suggesting that it was more likely a commercial and political venture.

Throughout the episode, viewers are also given a vivid sense of the human cost of the war. There are heart-wrenching accounts of the suffering endured by Iraqi civilians, from the daily violence and insecurity to the breakdown of basic services like healthcare and education. The soldiers, too, speak candidly about the physical and emotional toll of combat, from the fear and adrenaline of battle to the trauma of returning home.

Despite the heavy subject matter, "Once Upon a Time in Iraq" is an engrossing and thought-provoking documentary, one that manages to capture the complexity and nuance of this divisive period in our recent history. Whether you lived through the war or are simply curious about how it unfolded, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the impact of conflict on both individuals and society as a whole.