No End in Sight

This is just one example that comprises multiple atrocities.

2003 saw the U.S. led coalition invade and start the occupation of Iraq. Based on the documentary it soon became painfully clear that other than the invasion itself, there really was no plan as we'd be home for dinner.The looting in Iraq started immediately and left the country in ruins both physically and financially. The coalition forces did nothing to stop it. The only building not looted was the oil ministry as that was the only one guarded by coalition forces.No one in the White House administration was reading any of the "on scene" reports from the commanders. No one in the White House was listening to anyone on the ground in Iraq as proven by the appointment of L Paul Bremer to oversee everything ? His 3rd major sweep of the pen was to disband the entire Iraq Army rendering over 400,000 men unemployed in one day. All this despite warnings and advice to the contrary by the very commanders that had led the coalition forces in. The social and economic implications of such an asinine and callous decision still shape the landscape in Iraq to this day.Obviously politicians know much better about this military stuff than 4/5 star Generals ?The whole Iraq debacle was being run from the Pentagon by people (Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Cheney, Bush, Rice) who were so far from having even the basic experience required to do what they were doing. It would be akin to a business owner employing a baker to be a pharmacist. The cumulative military service of all in charge added up to maybe a weekend. It is easy to see why government can garner so much emotion from the governed. They make the decisions, the guys in the "thick" of it deal with the consequence.By the end of the documentary I felt helpless and angry but I also felt part of the problem somehow. I admit to my own apathy during the time this was all going down. Like most of the country I trusted those in charge and trusted their decisions. I couldn't have been more wrong.Documentaries can be slanted to portray the material portrayed as either good/bad, left/right wing etc etc and you can't help feeling this one is slanted a little to the political left.Despite that, I felt that the evidence presented was overwhelming in that the Bush Administration listened to no one but themselves. They wanted this war, they were going to get this war, and anyone who stood out against it was going to feel their wrath. (Joe Wilson and his wife?). Also it's astounding how the media was completely in bed with the administration insomuch as there was little if any dissent to the actions being taken.I recommend this documentary and I also recommend researching this whole Iraq/Bush thing further. There are many good books out there that tackle the Bush/Iraq era from many angles. It's fascinating, it's riveting but above all it's a VERY audible warning against apathy and blind loyalty.

Excellent documentary on the perversion this Administration has foisted on the American public under the guise of the "Iraq War."The creators bypass the element of the lie that led us into this deception, but take up with the way this action has been carried out. There was no planning, no preparation, no concern for consequences. Advice was not sought and was not accepted. Unqualified cronies and loyalists were selected over experts to fill positions and determine policies. The Iraqis were not brought in as partners, but were subjugated to our command.What I found exceptional about this film was how it imparted to the viewer the experience of the Iraqi people. You share their somewhat qualified sense of hopefulness as the invading army rolls in. Perhaps it will lead to something better. We promised "democracy" and all the benefits that would come with it. We were there as "liberators." So they waited. But what followed was rampant looting and lawlessness. Shops, museums, schools, factories, hospitals all stripped not only of equipment and supplies, but down to the wiring and rebar. The army, which was mandatory and a source of employment for Iraqi males, was disbanded (but left armed). Bremer imposed "de-Bathification" which prohibited those in the Bath Party from normal employment. (Membership in the Bath Party had been a requirement for employment under Saddam, and was not necessarily indicative of loyalty.) Government food rations were cut off. So there was massive unemployment, no income to buy food, no hospitals, no schools, limited safe water, lack of electricity, etc. The "liberators" turned a deaf ear to the Iraqi people. So the liberators became unwelcome occupiers, and disgruntled citizens became insurgents. The troops the citizens had once welcomed, were now the same troops breaking down their doors at night and carting off their husbands, sons, and fathers. The viewer internalizes all this from the Iraqis perspective and is left with a sense of anger.These events unfold as interviews are conducted with government and military officials. It becomes clear that the Administration was repeatedly advised of the circumstances that were developing, but the warnings were ignored. Those who complained were removed from their positions. Those here at home made light of the situation. The public was reassured that all was going well. The interviews reveal the discrepancies, as officials disclose the information they conveyed and the indifference they were met with.For anyone who still feels there is any reason to defend this Administration for its policy in Iraq, insist they see this documentary.

As is suggested elsewhere in these reviews, the origin of the American (also British) war in Iraq seems to lie in the "Project for The NewAmerican Century" (see Wikipedia). This was a neo-conservative think tank that produced a plan that included regime change inIraq. The plan was cooked-up during the time of the Clinton administration when the Republican Party was planning to take powerin the subsequent presidential election. And so they did.I agree with the criticism that the film does not attempt to deal with the most fundamental basis of American policy. This subjectremains mysterious and controversial, but there are two obvious possibilities:1. The wish to control the oil.2. The wish to neutralise Israel's greatest threat. (I do not suggest that Israel had any part in it).Whatever was the motive, I believe that it was pure evil and has begotten the horror that we see today. Although published as longago as 2007, the title of this DVD is still apposite in 2016.

I have watched this many times over by now and still find it moving, powerful and convincing. This documentary is what I would imagine Imperial Life in the Emerald City be like as a film - an eye opening contribution to the reporting on this tragic conflict.

A good insight into the effects of US war policy

Great

Incredible documentary. Concise and focused. Unflinching. The best, informative film about the war on Iraq. If this kinda of thing interests you, than this is a must see.