Once Upon a Time in Iraq

So sad. Hard to watch even harder to understand why. Why?

Like every young millennial kid living outside of Iraq witnessing the country's invasion on TV in 2003, this docu-series brought back many memories for me. This version tells the story of Iraq in the final years of Saddam's reign and it's aftermath told from a people's perspective, those who were there on the ground (Soldiers, Journalist, Civilians etc). Each episode had me glued to my screen from start to finish. The final episode, the rise of ISIS, had me shaking my head in disbelief. Incredibly well done series!

As an Iraqi whom lost family members during the 2003 invasion in Iraq, its so heartbreaking today to watch this, just like the Iraqi people I to believe that America should have NEVER involved themselves and whilst watching this series I was just so angry and frustrated with what happened and there's nothing anyone can do to change Iraq for the better. That's it. Iraq is dead.

I was glued to my seat throughout each episode. This excellent documentary series gives an essential insight into the reality of the Iraq war. Honest, open interviews with civilians and soldiers are often stirring and sinister, but no matter the side they are on, their humanity along with their flaws are laid bare. I hope that both American and British politicians of those of the era including Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush and Blair watch this, along with their current counterparts.

This incredible series of documentaries shows what really happened before, during and after the Iraqi war. Through archive footage and interviews with journalists, ex-soldiers and Iraqi people it lays bare the truth of the war, stripped of the allied media and political propaganda of the time. It's a tragic story, though very illuminating to see so many people admit and explain all the stupid mistakes made by the American and allies. Heartbreaking too to see the impact of this war on ordinary Iraqi families and individuals. There is no doubt that misplaced invasion and interference of the West into Middle-Eastern politics and culture sowed the seeds of the terrorist threat we all live with today. Should be required viewing for politicians and all leaders worldwide. Perhaps they could learn something from their predecessors' ugly mistakes.