A Military History of the Iraq War Part 1: “Shock and Awe“

The Iraq War is one the crucial events of early 21st century history. In many ways it defines the unipolar moment, a historical period where American global power truly stood unchallenged. The events leading up to the war, and the way in which it was justified by the Bush administration, still dominate most people’s conception of the conflict. However, the fact that most popular histories of the Iraq war focus on its dubious casus belli tends to obscure what is a fascinating military campaign, one that had a pivotal role in shaping the 21st century global order. This video is a military history of the Iraq War, one that is almost completely engaged in a technical military analysis of the campaign, rather than the legality of the conflict, Weapons of Mass Destruction or the truthfulness of the Bush administration. Part 1 covers the historical and strategic background to the conflict, including a discussion of the Iraqi-American strategic relationship, the state of the American and Iraqi militaries