

Lawfare Daily: Steve Coll on Saddam Hussein and the Limits of American Power in the Middle East
Sep 26, 2024
Steve Coll, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, delves into his latest work focused on Saddam Hussein and the convoluted U.S.-Iraq relationship. He reveals how Saddam’s belief in America's omnipotence led to his downfall when his fictitious WMD program became a justification for invasion. The discussion dives into the complexities of intelligence ties, highlighting how the CIA’s early support played a role in building Saddam's paranoia. Coll emphasizes the importance of understanding historical perspectives to avoid repeating past mistakes in U.S. foreign policy.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Understanding the Dual Narratives of the U.S.-Iraq Conflict
01:38 • 5min
Saddam Hussein: The Man Behind the Mask
06:24 • 17min
Intelligence Ties and Betrayals: The CIA's Role in the Iran-Iraq War
23:50 • 5min
Generational Privileges and Global Intrigue
29:13 • 7min
CIA and Iraq: Lessons from the 90s
36:12 • 24min
Navigating American Involvement in the Middle East
01:00:07 • 2min