Episode Details

Reflecting on his childhood during the Iran-Iraq War, Abdul-Ahad recalls the pervasive militarization of society, where children wore military uniforms and celebrated hollow "victories." Saddam Hussein was revered as the "Leader of Necessity," justifying his absolute authority. Crucially, Abdul-Ahad argues that pre-2003 Iraq was defined by class and geography rather than sectarianism — the Sunni-Shia divide was a narrative largely "imposed" by exiles and the conditions created by the American-led war. (2)
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