Would it be seen as (and is it really) exceptionally tasteless to write a fictional novel about a soldiers' experiences in Iraq? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 6, 2009 - 16 answers

Do you know of a well-written book that covers the Iraq war? [more inside]
posted by eralclare on Nov 26, 2008 - 11 answers

Where can I find the recent government report that claims that Iraq has achieved 15 of 18 benchmarks set for its political development? [more inside]
posted by zainsubani on Jul 17, 2008 - 11 answers

I'm looking for an online video that I've seen within the last couple of years of a one man show by a British comedian that covered the reasons why America invaded Iraq and the history leading up to it. [more inside]
posted by rfbjames on May 7, 2008 - 4 answers

What are some objective criteria/metrics by which to measure progress towards success or failure in a war or other extended conflict? [more inside]
posted by EatenByAGrue on Jan 13, 2008 - 18 answers

I have a (self-described) Republican, Bush-loving friend whom I've known for about 13 years now, who's willingly signed up for the Marines and wants to be stationed in Iraq. He leaves for basic training next weekend. [more inside]
posted by revmitcz on Aug 1, 2007 - 45 answers

I woke up this Memorial Day sad, angry depressed over the unending loss of life in the Iraq war. What is an appropriate way for a non-believer in and non-supporter of the war to honor the dead (military, contractors, and Iraqi civilians)?
posted by Xurando on May 28, 2007 - 14 answers

How many American soldiers who served in this Iraq war have died since leaving Iraq (German hospitals, American hospitals, at home etc.) ? [more inside]
posted by specialk420 on Apr 30, 2007 - 7 answers

Was there anyone who publicly predicted, before the start of the Iraq war, the absence of WMDs and/or the extended occupation we would face, and justified those predictions in thoughtful detail?
posted by shivohum on Mar 21, 2007 - 35 answers

What are good sources for seeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the eyes of the soldiers fighting? [more inside]
posted by CaptMcalister on Mar 16, 2007 - 8 answers

[AppropriationsFilter] If the Democrats vote *against* funding the troop escalation, what recourse does the President have to follow through with his plan? [more inside]
posted by willie11 on Feb 7, 2007 - 4 answers

A female aquaintance of mine who is in the national guard expressed how she might soon be called to duty in Iraq/Afghanistan, however she isn't exactly willing. She claims that she will be exempt from active duty because she is a single mother (recently divorced). I wonder how accurate she is considering that she doesn't really raise any of her children full time. What do you think?
posted by protocool on Nov 16, 2006 - 10 answers

Literally. We have started a rally/day-long protest/24 hours of fun to take place at my college in Clinton, SC (population 10k). The idea is to make it viral. Not just invite everyone we know, but really work everyone to invite everyone they know. [more inside]
posted by gbinal on Nov 1, 2006 - 16 answers

Fear Of A Brown Planet: I'm looking for songs with a Jingoistic bent, preferably in Country Music. [more inside]
posted by sourwookie on Jun 13, 2006 - 28 answers

What are some sources for audio recordings of everyday Iraqis speaking -- telling their stories, talking about their experience of the war and occupation, or talking about their feelings on any subject? I know about the excellent War News Radio site; I'm looking for more sites like that. I'm equally happy to find voices speaking in English or in Arabic. [more inside]
posted by allterrainbrain on Jun 4, 2006 - 3 answers

What are your guesses as to what "the War in Iraq" be known as in ten years? [more inside]
posted by trinarian on May 30, 2006 - 39 answers

I'm looking for two kinds of charity groups: One that helps the children of soldiers killed in Iraq, and one that helps children in Iraq who have lost parents. Any know vetted organizations that fit this bill?
posted by gwint on May 29, 2006 - 4 answers

What is the Democratic Party's official stance on the future of Iraq? If we were in power right now, what would we be doing differently? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Feb 4, 2006 - 12 answers

Epigraph Filter: Writing an essay on the reasons for the Iraq invasion, thesis is that Bush and Co. had an aggressively nationalistic / Hobbesian worldview which combined with Democratic Imperialists (Wolfowitz et. al) found conviction post-9/11. Can you think of a relevant quote or poetry excerpt to stick in the beginning? [more inside]
posted by Firas on Dec 19, 2005 - 12 answers

Besides Japan and Iraq, what other countries have constitutions that were drafted either by or under the direction or assistance of the U.S. (or allied occupation made up of at least the U.S.)? [more inside]
posted by sublivious on Oct 30, 2005 - 13 answers

How much has the Iraq war cost to date? Cite sources please.
posted by Manjusri on Aug 22, 2005 - 11 answers

A serious, and for me an unanswered question: Why is the most powerful military in human history unable to control Iraq?
posted by The Jesse Helms on Jun 30, 2005 - 39 answers

PropogandaWarFilter: How many TV networks is the US funding in Iraq?
Al Iraquia (that doesn't have a site) and Al Hurra and..?
posted by ruelle on Feb 10, 2005 - 2 answers

Soldiers in Iraq receive Cultural Smart Cards [PDF] which, among other things, provide a series of "Do This" and "Don't Do This" behaviors designed to avoid cultural misunderstandings. Some of these are quite obvious (e.g., "Never offer a Muslim alcohol or pork," "Don't engage in religious discussions") others are less so (e.g., "Don't make the 'OK' or 'thumbs up' signs; they are considered obscene," "Don't praise an Iraqi's possessions too much. He may give them to you and expect something of value in return," "Try all food offered to you, even if in small portions"). What would a similar card look like for foreigners visiting the US? I'd think that it would include something about it being customary to tip, maybe something about personal space. What else?

[Bonus points if we can avoid turning the thread into an argument about politics or the war].
posted by i love cheese on Jan 13, 2005 - 54 answers

I'd like to put the war in people's faces a little more by showing a running tally of the deaths of U.S. soldiers on my blog. Is there an RSS feed of this info anywhere? I'm thinking of information structured something like this... >> [more inside]
posted by luser on Sep 8, 2004 - 2 answers

Today is the 60th aniversary of the D-Day invasion. George W. Bush will be giving a speech at Normandy Beach today in which he will compare the need for WW2 to the need for our current Iraq War. This seems a distinct overstatement and not historically accurate. (Not to mention philosophically accurate) I am no history scholar, but would not mind a clear, concise response to this comparison to use in mixed conversation. My question is this, 'Why is the Iraq War NOTHING like WW2?" Please avoid personal anecdotal responses. A historical and political overview is desired.
posted by BrodieShadeTree on Jun 4, 2004 - 25 answers

I'm looking for any informative preferably unbiased look at wether the US might set up a draft for the ongoing Iraqi war . I would also be interested in reading educated opinions on the probablility of this happening in the absence of real tangible information. I did find this: The Coming Draft, but I don't know the slant on this news source. Many thanks!
posted by pissfactory on Apr 15, 2004 - 14 answers