Jacobin Radio Long Reads: Dina Khoury on the US Destruction of Iraq (Part 1)
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Jul 30, 2022 Historian Dina Khoury, an expert on the Middle East and author of 'Iraq in Wartime,' delves deep into the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in a gripping discussion. She describes the chaotic fallout from the 2003 operation, highlighting devastating impacts like the refugee crisis and health issues, such as soaring birth defects in Fallujah. The conversation critiques the flawed U.S. political strategies post-invasion and explores the rise of corruption and sectarian tensions that continue to plague Iraq's landscape.
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Occupation's Devastating Human Toll
- The 2003 US invasion compounded devastation caused by the 1990s embargo weakening Iraq's infrastructure and sovereignty.
- Between 2003 and 2011, Iraq suffered around 650,000 deaths linked to occupation violence, with total war deaths nearing one million by 2017.
Cultural Heritage Systematically Destroyed
- US forces severely damaged Iraq's cultural heritage by looting museums and using archaeological sites for military bases.
- ISIS further destroyed northern Iraq's cultural sites, also funding itself through antiquities smuggling.
Environmental and Health Consequences
- Iraq's environment worsened due to toxic remnants from military ordinance and past wars including chemical weapons and depleted uranium.
- Health impacts include rising cancer rates and birth defects linked to pollutants from the conflict zones.
