Once Upon a Time in Iraq

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.

Where do I even begin, the series is brilliant in every single way it's a breathtaking, once you've seen it and seen the emotion that these people have inside them from these events they lived through and experienced. The archive of footage they show as brutal and barbaric as it is to look at it's so hard to look away at the same time because it's so hard to believe a lot of this isn't even fiction let alone that it all happened so recently. The people they interview every single ones perspective on this conflict is just so different and the way they talk and the role they played is fascinating.

Often, it is considered the worst thing to do nothing in the face of evil. But if we can only make things worse, then to do nothing is our duty. The tragedy of the West's involvement in Iraq is that, even if we take the interventionists claims of the best motives at face value, then the result was a predictable disaster, ruining the country and leading to part of it falling under the control of ISIS, an organisation that made Saddam Hussein's Ba'aath party seem benign in comparison. This series, comprising a series of interviews with Iraqis and Americans, is horrific and compelling. Perhaps the most interesting bits were the account of an American commander, slowly losing control (and with it, his ability to see the bigger picture); and the account of the semi-lawless execution of Saddam. The final chapter, the rise of ISIS, is sickening but no longer surprising. If the world is ever to be a better place, there are lessons here that no-one should be allowed to forget; but I fear another generation of would-be messiahs will in turn create their own wake of martyrs.

If you only watch one documentary series this year please please please watch this, it's absolutely heartbreaking for both sides.

This incredible series should be watched by everyone. It chronicles the harrowing reality of the invasion that shaped the world as it is today. Watch it, you won't enjoy it much, because you're not meant to, but the people of Iraq have a story that deserves to be heard.