The Rest Is Classified 153. The Road to Iraq: Weapons of Mass Destruction (Ep 1)
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May 3, 2026 A fast-paced dive into how Saddam rose to power and the brutal methods he used to stay in control. They trace the Iran–Iraq war, Iraqi nuclear and chemical programs, and the 1980s US–Iraq covert ties. The show examines the Gulf War, the invasion of Kuwait, and how failed intelligence and political pressure shaped the WMD narrative.
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Iraq War's Vast Geopolitical Legacy
- The Iraq War is one of the most consequential US-UK decisions of the last 25–50 years shaping regional geopolitics and trust in institutions.
- David McCloskey links the 2003 invasion to the rise of ISIS, regional Iranian influence, trillions in costs, and long-term political fallout.
WMD Claim Was The War's Central But Flawed Premise
- The public justification for the 2003 war rested mainly on alleged Iraqi WMD that ultimately weren't found.
- McCloskey calls the post-2003 story a masterclass in analytic biases that led smart analysts to a wrong judgment.
Saddam's Early Life Shaped His Use Of Violence
- Saddam Hussein's rough childhood and early petty crime shaped a worldview that prized intimidation and violence.
- Gordon Corera describes Tikrit origins, a harsh upbringing, and Saddam brandishing a gun to stop bullies.
