This will change how you think about the Iraq War.

Summary

This video delves into the overlooked figures who contributed to the failure of democracy in Iraq, focusing on Bill Clinton, Paul Bremer, and William DePuy. It outlines how U.S. military doctrine evolved post-Vietnam, culminating in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and how the combination of harsh sanctions under Clinton and Bremer's de-Baathification policies decimated the Iraqi state. The narrative explains how these decisions led to widespread corruption, violence, and the rise of groups like ISIS, arguing that democracy cannot take root without a functioning state.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The script discusses the unintended consequences of U.S. policy and military actions on Iraq, focusing on the roles of Bill Clinton, Paul Bremer, and William DePuy.
• 🔍 It highlights how William DePuy's military doctrine, developed in the 1970s, emphasized a new level of warfare—operations—which prioritized rapid military success and had a significant impact on the Iraq War.
• 💥 The 2003 invasion of Iraq using DePuy's doctrine led to a quick military victory but a devastating political aftermath, as it dismantled the Iraqi state's structure.
• 🛑 Post-Gulf War sanctions, particularly under Bill Clinton's administration, aimed for regime change and contributed to the collapse of Iraq's economy and state institutions.
• 🚫 Paul Bremer's decisions to purge former Ba'ath party members and dissolve the Iraqi army led to widespread unemployment and the rise of militias, exacerbating violence and instability.
• 🔄 The script argues that the U.S.'s approach to Iraq was flawed, as it focused on military victory without a clear plan for establishing a stable, functioning state.
• 🏥 The collapse of the Iraqi state due to sanctions and military actions resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with increased child mortality and a failing public health sector.
• 🔧 The 'surge' in 2007 temporarily reduced violence but did not address the underlying issues of state weakness and corruption in Iraq.
• 🔙 The withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2011 left Iraq with an unstable political landscape, which contributed to the rise of ISIS and the return of U.S. military intervention.
• 🌐 The script concludes that for democracy to succeed, a state must first exist and be strong; the actions of the U.S. inadvertently led to the opposite, creating chaos and hindering democratic progress in Iraq.

Q & A

What was the main focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on the story of how certain decisions and actions by three men—Bill Clinton, Paul Bremer, and William DePuy—significantly contributed to the destabilization and chaos in Iraq, leading to widespread violence, poverty, and political instability.

What was William DePuy's role in shaping the U.S. military doctrine?

William DePuy was responsible for revising American military doctrine in the 1970s. He observed that the traditional two levels of war—strategy and tactics—were no longer sufficient for modern warfare and introduced a new intermediate level called 'operations,' which focused on rapid military campaign success.

How did the first Gulf War impact Iraq according to the script?

The first Gulf War in the 1990s gave Saddam Hussein his first experience with the new military doctrine, which led to a rapid defeat of Iraqi forces by the U.S. and its allies. This was a precursor to the more devastating effects of the 2003 invasion.

What was the impact of the United Nations sanctions on Iraq after the first Gulf War?

The UN sanctions, particularly under President Bill Clinton's administration, had a devastating effect on Iraq. They led to the collapse of Iraq's economy, as the country was barred from exporting oil, and transformed the state into a web of clientelistic patronage and corruption.

How did the sanctions against Iraq change under President Clinton's administration?

Under President Clinton, the purpose of the sanctions shifted from compliance with UN conditions to regime change. Even after Iraq's weapons programs were largely dismantled, the sanctions continued, leading to a significant deterioration of Iraq's state capacity and economy.

What was Jay Garner's initial plan for post-invasion Iraq?

Jay Garner's plan was to stop the violence, punish Saddam's top officials, hold elections, and then leave, aiming to establish an Iraqi government that represented the freely elected will of the people.

What significant actions did Paul Bremer take upon becoming the head of the coalition's provisional government in Iraq?

Paul Bremer issued decrees that led to a political purge, firing and banning members of Saddam's political party from public employment, and dissolving the Iraqi army, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of trained men becoming unemployed and contributing to the rise of militias.

How did the 'surge' strategy in Iraq in 2007 differ from the initial invasion?

The 'surge' strategy in 2007 aimed to establish a larger military presence to bring stability and security. It involved increasing troop numbers to 170,000, which helped to reduce violence by suppressing militias, in contrast to the initial invasion's focus on rapid regime change.

What was the state of Iraq like after the U.S. forces' departure in 2011?

Despite the temporary stability brought by the surge, Iraq remained a weak state plagued by clientelism, corruption, and a sense of political futility. The departure of U.S. forces left Iraq vulnerable, and within a few years, ISIS emerged, highlighting the state's inability to provide security.

What is the key takeaway from the video script regarding the transition to democracy in Iraq?

The key takeaway is that for a state to transition to democracy, it must first exist as a competent and stable entity. The actions of the individuals discussed in the script dismantled the Iraqi state, making it an unsuitable environment for democracy to take root.