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Radio War Nerd EP #370 — Iraq War 20th Anniversary, pt. 1: Abandoned Soldiers, feat. Seth Harp (Patreon)

Published:
2023-03-26 16:25:30
Imported:
2026-06
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Guest: Seth Harp, contributing editor Rolling Stone 

Recorded: March 22, 2023

On the 20th anniversary of the dumbest war in living memory, we talk to Iraq war veteran Seth Harp about the lost history of how America's leaders and field commanders abandoned their soldiers to poor quality equipment that didn't work, worthless armor that didn't protect them poor communications, and sometimes just outright abandoned them to die in the battlefield.

*Read Seth Harp's article: "Abandoned In Iraq: Inside Two Soldiers Harrowing Escape". Follow Seth on Twitter.

*Listen to our previous episode with Seth, "Ukraine War Reporting & the Ghost "International Legion" [EP #328]

Total time: 1:17:09

Direct link to this episode's mp3 here 

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Comments

CR

"The soldier's creed is aspirational." Just like cops have no duty to protect, and fuck you for believing that "protect and serve" horseshit.

PW

Great show!

William

Not even five minutes in and I already want to devote the rest of my life to destroying the earning potential for all future doctors of every kind

Baron

One of the best episodes this year, on topic, good pacing, and patient, critical insight from Seth. Thanks guys for helping improve an otherwise shitty weekend for me.

Greg

Really great episode, thanks guys!

j

The anecdote that non floridated water corillates with more republican/libertarian political view fits fascinatingly well that the Nazis added fluoride to the water in concentration camps for docility…..

Sen Grets

My guys from the village went and fought in this war, killing the relatives of my other friends who had escaped the invasion to the town next door. Quite a few of my friends have seen people blown to pieces. They don't tend to tell stories even to people they've known all their lives. Whatever else the war was, or what we in the village thought of the politics, back home we counted them all out, and we counted them all back.

Angus Cairnie

Around the 58 minute mark he starts talking about mass graves dug for the slaughtered men of Fallujah. How is this different from the graves of Bucha?

Mike

I'm sorry that it was so traumatic to invade a sovereign country but can you guys maybe interview an Iraqi next time?

Benke

I suggest moving to a place which is not protected by anyone who serves. You might change your mind.

Nico

Seth's story reminded me of Rory Stewart's 2006 book Occupational Hazards: My Time Governing in Iraq. For those who don't know, Rory Stewart is a British academic, ex-diplomatic and former Tory MP and cabinet minister. There's a lot to say about Stewart, but in 2003-04 he was Deputy Governorate Coordinator of Maysan and Dhi Qar provinces of Iraq under the Coalition Provisional Authority, based out of Amarah then Nasiriyah. He fancied himself the swashbuckling, Lawrence of Arabia type of colonial administrator, and reading the book you can't help but think that he was unbelievably naive and ill-prepared for the task. It's been 15+ years since I read the book, so the exact details escape me. I think Stewart may have been besieged in the CPA compound in Nasiriyah in April 2004, so I don't know if there was any mention of the battle between US troops and Sadrist militia in Amarah at the time. But the book gave some insight on what an absolute gong show the occupation of Southern Iraq was from the very beginning. I won't lie, I kind of enjoyed the book at the time, but I'm curious if the War Nerd has a take on Occupational Hazards.

Redspin Sports

Such a lame, and a million times over recycled critique, and an ultra cliche reply. So RWN shouldn't allow us to hear his story because he's what, "taking up too much space" from Iraqi voices? Why's it gotta be one of the other? Mark and John have had Iraqis -and others from countries in the nearby Arabian peninsula- on RWN numerous times.

j

The graves in Fallujah weren’t partisan vigilance retribution perhaps?

Jon

In early 2004 we (Brits) were forced to do the Basra-Amara run in Snatch Land Rovers, basically anything stronger than a pea shooter would go right through it.

Hemakekh

also, aside from being the 'Favourite Tory' of the month for the gullible and vibes dependent Liberal Centrists of the British media and political class at the moment, potentially a spook, according to Craig Murray

Josh

Amazing episode guys. Looking forward to pt 2 on Iraq. I teach 8th grade social studies and since we’re at the 20 year mark have been struggling with a way to frame the war to get them to understand the insanity of the lead up to and early months of the war

Arielle Curtin

Excellent homage to 20 years in Iraq. I was also anti war at the time. I hear what Seth says about “tribe.” We need to reintegrate vets.

Karl Childers

the Blowback podcast did a 10-episode series on exactly this subject, worth checking out imo, probably some points you can steal for tha kidz

Thomas

If the government ends up as a large purchaser of dental services it’ll do stuff to drive the price of care down

G W

Who are you quoting?

Redspin Sports

No one in particular. That's just a particularly common refrain from those trying to shut someone up from saying something they often just don't want to hear.

Ander Pierce

Absurdly grim, thanks for sharing Seth

Once_Royal

I really enjoyed the music at 1:11:00. Who is the artist?