Bøger om Irak

William Shawcross, one of Britain's most admired journalists, eloquently and forcefully defends the war in Iraq and explores its implications for our relationship with Europe and the rest of the world

The first transportation wheel, the first writing, the first law codes, and the first empires-the innovative ancient Iraqis transformed our world!The "Cradle of Civilization" brought us the sixty-second minute, the sixty-minute hour, and the twelve-hour day and night. Their brilliant sages predicted solar and lunar eclipses and developed quadratic equations.Ancient Iraq was undeniably a powerhouse of creativity and stunning achievements. Come explore how the Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, and Greek empires surged to the top, only to crash and burn. This engaging book will guide you through an incredible journey from the earliest civilizations to the fall of the Sassanian Empire in 651 CE.This book will unpack the following questions and more!What was the world's oldest city?How similar was Hammurabi's Law Code to the Law of Moses?How many times was the god Marduk stolen from Babylon?What massive coalition crushed Assyria once and for all?How do today's historians and astronomers use the ancient Chaldean eclipse records?What three Iranian dynasties ruled Iraq, beginning with Cyrus the Great?What were Alexander the Great's plans for Babylon?How did the Antonine Plague interrupt Rome's invasion of Iraq?What Sassanid emperor called on China for help against the Muslim Arabs?

An insider's account of how, contrary to popular belief, the U.S. Army developed comprehensive plans for the initial invasion of Iraq and for subsequent stages of the conflict--plans that were received with little interest by Washington.

Michael Goldfarb's translator and guide when covering the Second Gulf War for NPR in 2003 was Ahmad Shawkat, an Iraqi Kurd who longed for Iraq to be free from tyranny. Not long after the USA had declared victory, Shawkat was assassinated by one of the Islamic terror groups he had railed about.

How Forward Air Controllers and Close Air Support fundamentally changed the American war machine in the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

This invaluable resource offers a comprehensive overview of the Iraq War, with more than 100 in-depth articles by leading scholars on an array of topics and themes and more than a dozen key primary source documents.This book provides everything the reader needs to know about the Iraq War, from the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq, through the U.S. troop surge in 2007, to the rise of the Islamic State. It offers insight into the war through the events, organizations, and people who have had a major impact on the conflict. It also explains the inadvertent consequences of the conflict including worsening regional sectarian divisions, the Arab Spring, the increase in Iranian influence in the Middle East, and the expansion of international terrorism.The book begins with a sweeping overview of the Iraq War that provides context for each of the reference entries that follow. The introductory material also includes detailed essays on the causes and consequences of the war. The bulk of the book consists of more than 120 reference entries on such topics as Saddam Hussein, the battles of Fallujah, and private military contractors such as Blackwater and Halliburton. In addition, the book includes more than a dozen curated and contextualized primary source documents along with a comprehensive chronology and extensive bibliography.

During the 2003 Iraq War invasion called Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 3D Infantry Division led the effort starting March 19, 2003. They pushed three days straight into the fight to take Baghdad with major combat operations lasting several months. 3D Infantry Division's 1st Brigade, the main effort, was supported by the 126th Forward Surgical Team known as "Phantom FaST". This is a story about a newly married bride and her husband, a young officer in "Phantom FaST", trying to make sense of war and separation. During the initial combat phase, there were no methods of communication other than good old letter writing like veterans of past wars. This book is a compilation of those letters and is a story about LOVE shared, the effects of WAR, and the FAITH to survive.

In a punchy collection of poetry packed with humor and grit, The Explosion Takes Both Legs: Noir Poems from the War in Iraq, former U.S. Army infantry-officer-turned-crime-writer J.B. Stevens delivers both action and insight into how Americans go to war in the 21st century. Despite the can't-miss, explosive nature of some of his war stories, his poems are also often filled with stoic, deadpan grace. For example, he begins "A Ghost in an Arabian Desert" with ... "After we returned, We had a ceremony and the commander said many nice things, I got a Bronze Star. My mother and father and brothers met me at the base, Because my fiancée had cheated and left, And my brother brought me ice-cream. [...]" Punchy, pithy, and poker-faced! Full of grit and heart and dogged determination! Contains bonus short-fiction from J.B. Stevens! HERE'S WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: "As meditations on war, these poems are revelation. Soulful, hell bent, fearless, riddled with pathos and hard won psychological truth. While Stevens draws upon his combat experience in Iraq for source material, what illuminates these poems are his abiding humanity and his preoccupation with the mysteries of the human heart. True war stories, but make it poetry."-Gabe Hudson, author of Dear Mr. President ◆◆◆◆◆ "J.B. Stevens' writing is a unique fusion of war poetry, pulp fiction, and pop culture references. Sometimes, he's a red-star cluster warning of danger. Other times, he's an artillery-delivered illumination round. Regardless, his work is stunningly insightful and explosively entertaining. Read on for some mental fireworks, delivered on-time and on-target!"-Randy Brown, author of Welcome to FOB Haiku and So Frag & So Bold ◆◆◆◆◆ "Stevens' poetry is like watching old school fight clips on YouTube all night long. Like binge watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with your crush under the stars. It's going home after a long day of work and blasting Nirvana through your stereo. It's making the perfect s'mores after finally getting the campfire going. Which is to say, J.B. Stevens' The Explosion Takes Both Legs is a haymaker straight to the heart, and it's beautiful."-Shawn Berman, author of Mr. Funnyman and editor of The Daily Drunk ◆◆◆◆◆ "War as close-calls, confusion and waste. These poems keep coming at you, relentlessly, like one punch after another. Collectively, they will leave you reeling."-Bill McCloud, author of The Smell of the Light: Vietnam, 1968-1969 ◆◆◆◆◆ "'They are gone, and I hope it didn't hurt.' Through his honest and direct depictions of death, survivor's guilt, and the alluring simplicity of war, J.B. Stevens documents how to be a veteran is to forever miss a part of yourself still out on the unfinished patrol. You don't laugh in the face of death because you want to die, you laugh because it's the best way to go. Haunting and visceral images that stick with you long after reading."-Zakariah Johnson, author of Mink: Skinning Time in Wisconsin and Egg on Her Face: Stories of Crime, Horror, and the Space in Between

My Men Are My Heroes introduces its readers to a living standard of Marine Corps esprit de corps and military decorum. Sergeant Major Bradley Kasal, the pride of Iowa, is a small town boy who wanted to be a United States Marine even before a poster perfect Marine recruiter marched into his high school gym and offered him a challenge Kasal couldn't resist. Two decades later Kasal stood stiffly at attention, one leg literally shot in half, while the Navy Cross was pinned to his chest. Kasal is currently the Sergeant Major of the Infantry School at Camp Pendleton, CA until he retires in May, 2012. After a brief visit to his childhood Kasal's story quickly gathers steam, introducing the reader to his early Marine career; adventure filled years that earned him the name "Robo-Grunt" from men who don't offer accolades easily. Kasal uses his experience climbing the ranks to illustrate how Marines grow, and how they are shaped by the uncompromising attitudes of the officers and non-coms charged with turning young Marines into tigers. Kasal's adventures culminate in Iraq. By now he is 1st Sergeant Kasal, ramrodding Kilo Company, 3/1, a rifle company in 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, the mighty "Thunder Third" that would cover itself with glory in 2004. Two days into Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003 Kilo is ordered to hold open a critical road between two bridges that Saddam's fierce Fedayeen Saddam were just as determined to take away. Kasal makes in his stand on that road, literally standing tall amidst fierce gunfire, demonstrating the kind of leadership Kilo Company needed to get the job done. Kilo's fight was part of the first big test of Marine Corps combat capabilities in the second Iraqi War and the only major engagement the Marine Corps fought during the heady days of the "Drive Up" to Baghdad. When it was over the so-called "Ninjas" of the Fedayeen Saddam were smashed. A week later Kasal was in Baghdad, welcomed with open arms by the exuberant population. A year later 3/1 was back to Iraq, in Anbar Province, the epicenter of the brutal war now raging in the former tribal stronghold of Saddam and his henchmen. The smiling faces that had greeted 3/1 the year before were gone. Kasal is the 1st Sergeant of Weapons Company, 3/1, the armored fist of a light infantry battalion. After four months of ambushes, IEDs, and deadly skirmishes 3/1 is ordered into Fallujah, to take the ancient city back from Al Qaeda and the foreign fighters who had turned the ancient "City of Mosques" into a fortress. It is there, in November, 2004 that the "Thundering Third" entered into Marine Corps legend and Kasal into the Pantheon of Heroes for his actions during the most savage battle the Marines fought in the Iraq War. At a non-descript house in a walled neighborhood in Fallujah Kasal, at the time accompanying a squad of Kilo's riflemen into a contested house, becomes involved in a close-quarter duel with fanatical Chechen fighters. The fight rages throughout the house, at times Marines and the foreign fighters were exchanging rifle fire and grenades at ranges of less than 10 feet. For almost two hours the squad is trapped inside the house. During the brawl Kasal is shot seven times, almost loses his leg when it is nearly severed from his body, and sustains 47 shrapnel wounds when he used his body to shield a wounded Marine laying next to him from an enemy grenade. In the skirmish, forever known as the "Hell House" fight, Kasal was awarded the Navy Cross, the nation's second highest award for heroism."

An up-to-date pictorial guide to the most deadly production fighter aircraft in the world

The Sumerians were a civilization of firsts, sowing the seeds of human heritage and legacy that would serve as the building blocks of subsequent civilizationsApart from being generally considered the first developed civilization in human history, the Sumerians were first in many other important ways. In fact, Sumer was the fountainhead of what some scholars refer to as "the thirty-nine firsts." These civilizational breakthroughs included educational institutions and professions as we know them today, the functional wheel incorporated into a vehicle, the first libraries, aquariums, organized religion, forms of democracy, and much else. The Sumerians were also the creators of the oldest known piece of literature, which is the famous Epic of Gilgamesh.

A searing critique of the "freedom" that America offers to the victims of its imperialist machinations of war and occupation Meaningless Citizenship traces the costs of America's long-term military involvement around the world by following the forced displacement of Iraqi families, unveiling how Iraqis are doubly displaced: first by the machinery of American imperialism in their native countries and then through a more pernicious war occurring on U.S. soil--the dismantling of the welfare state.Revealing the everyday struggles and barriers that texture the lives of Iraqi families recently resettled to the United States, Sally Wesley Bonet draws from four years of deep involvement in the refugee community of Philadelphia. An education scholar, Bonet's analysis moves beyond the prevalent tendency to collapse schooling into education. Focusing beyond the public school to other critical institutions, such as public assistance, resettlement programs, and healthcare, she shows how encounters with institutions of the state are an inherently educative process for both refugee youths and adults, teaching about the types of citizenship they are expected to enact and embody while simultaneously shaping them into laboring subjects in service of capitalism. An intimate, in-depth ethnography, Meaningless Citizenship exposes how the veneer of American values--freedom, democracy, human rights--exported to countries like Iraq, disintegrates to uncover what is really beneath: a nation-state that prioritizes the needs of capitalism above the survival and wellbeing of its citizens.

In 2003, 1st Platoon, Charlie Company 1-41 IN arrived on the sands of Iraq. They would prove to be one of the most lethal combat forces in the early Iraq invasion. This is the untold story of their bravery, their heroism, and the spirit of brotherhood and freedom that saw them through the storm. Two years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. stood on the cusp of battle, prepared to deliver freedom to the people of Iraq. 1st Platoon Charlie Company 1-41 Mechanized Infantry would lead the charge. Their platoon leader, LTC Stephen A. Thorpe now writes this compelling memoir on behalf of the soldiers who served beside him with honor and integrity. After almost a year's worth of combat training, they were ready to roll-but were they ready for what they would encounter in the Persian Gulf? An honest, first-person look at life on an overseas tour, Crimson Mist shows all the intensity of focus, joy, and sorrow of being a soldier-along with moments of boredom, laughter, and time-killing shenanigans. With great humility and an astounding love for the people who served beside him, LTC Thorpe presents this story that belongs not only to him-but to the soldiers that made the first charge toward Iraqi freedom, and the families and friends who shoulder their burden. Perfect for history buffs and fans of military memoirs, Crimson Mist contains all the heroism, suspense, and humor of the best soldier stories.

When you hunt men, men will hunt you.In this epic thrill ride filled with triumph and tragedy, Jack Treadway takes readers deep into the shadows of covert warfare. As a new SEAL learning to hunt men, a clandestine mini wet submarine comes within inches of slicing and dicing him. In SEAL Team Five, he shuffles through a vomit-spewed C-130 transport plane to jump into something worse—a treacherous snowy mountain in the Korean peninsula. Then he breaks his back in a Special Mission Unit assignment and breaks away from the SEAL Teams. Jack stalks deeper into the darkness from SEAL to Office of Special Investigations (OSI) counterintelligence officer in Iraq. His most elusive prey is a high value target on the kill or capture list—an al Qaeda financier codenamed Kaiser Soze. Jack and his team remove more than a hundred enemy insurgents from the battle space. When a high-ranking Iraqi ally—who secretly works for Iran—kills three members of Jack’s team, he wants bloody revenge.

Fragments of a long epic poem, describing the creation of the world in a series of tablets or books, were discovered by Mr. George Smith among the cuneiform treasures of the British Museum which had come from the royal library of Kouyunjik or Nineveh.

Guns, Girls, and Greed is an unvarnished, behind-the-scenes, tell-all account of the scathing and dangerous life of mercenaries at war in Iraq.Experience the world of private contractors conducting high-threat missions for a nascent Iraqi government in the hopes of rebuilding after the fall of Saddam Hussein. With limited support, the men of Blackwater protected US diplomats as the country descended into sectarian violence. It was a hazardous mission complete with rockets, mortars, improvised explosive devices, and not knowing who or where the enemy was. Morgan Lerette’s irreverently honest memoir shows the good and bad of injecting private armies into active combat zones in the name of diplomacy and digs deep into the bonds of brotherhood created by war. With gut-wrenching tragedy, dark humor, and parties that make Animal House seem like a Disney film, this memoir offers a firsthand perspective on how men act and react in war. Lerette, a private contractor employed by the notorious Blackwater in the early days of the Iraq War, pulls no punches in calling out the incompetence of both the US military and the Department of State during the collapse of Iraq. You can decide if the insertion of private contractors in Iraq assisted or detracted from the war effort and if the costs in blood and treasure were worth the carnage.

Experience the gripping narrative and deep insights of the Gulf War with the extraordinary book bundle "Gulf War: Shadows of the Desert." This captivating collection delves into the complexities, triumphs, and lasting impact of one of the most significant conflicts of our time. Embark on an unforgettable journey through four meticulously researched and expertly crafted books, each offering a unique perspective on different aspects of the Gulf War.Book 1 - "Storm Over Kuwait: The Gulf War Chronicles" immerses you in the heart of the conflict, presenting a comprehensive account of the war's chronology. Discover the untold stories of soldiers, civilians, and leaders as they navigate the harrowing landscapes of invasion, resistance, and liberation. Through vivid narratives and extensive research, this book brings the Gulf War to life, capturing the intensity, courage, and sacrifices of those involved.Book 2 - "Operation Desert Shield: The Diplomatic Prelude" unveils the intricate diplomatic maneuvers that set the stage for the Gulf War. Explore the complex negotiations, alliances, and regional dynamics that shaped the political landscape leading up to the conflict. Delve into the behind-the-scenes diplomacy, uncovering the strategies, tensions, and international efforts to defuse the crisis. Gain a deeper understanding of the diplomatic prelude that ultimately paved the way for military action.Book 3 - "Scorched Earth: Combat And Consequences In Operation Desert Storm" takes you into the heart of the military campaign itself. Experience the adrenaline-fueled battles, strategies, and combat operations that defined Operation Desert Storm. Explore the challenges faced by coalition forces, the utilization of advanced weaponry, and the consequences of the conflict on the geopolitical stage. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the combat operations and their far-reaching implications.Book 4 - "The Aftermath: Gulf War Syndrome And Its Legacy" delves into the long-lasting impact of the Gulf War on veterans and the wider world. Explore the devastating Gulf War Syndrome and its implications for the health and well-being of those who served. Examine the controversies, medical research, and advocacy surrounding this complex condition. Discover the broader legacy of the Gulf War and the lessons learned for future conflicts and military engagements.With "Gulf War: Shadows of the Desert," you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Gulf War from different perspectives. Immerse yourself in captivating storytelling, meticulously researched accounts, and thought-provoking analysis. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student, or simply curious about this pivotal moment in history, this book bundle offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intricacies and profound impact of the Gulf War.Don't miss this chance to own "Gulf War: Shadows of the Desert" and embark on a compelling journey through the chronicles, diplomatic prelude, combat operations, and legacy of the Gulf War. Order your copy now and delve into the shadows of the desert to uncover the remarkable story of this historic conflict.

Experience the gripping narratives, hidden truths, and profound human stories of the Iraq War with the compelling book bundle "Iraq War: Covert Operations and Secret Agendas." This collection of four captivating books offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the most consequential conflicts in recent history. From the initial stages of the war to its aftermath, this bundle takes you on a journey that unveils the covert operations, secret agendas, challenges of rebuilding, and the indomitable spirit of resilience and redemption.Book 1, "From Shock and Awe to Stalemate: A Comprehensive History of the Iraq War," is a definitive account of the conflict. Immerse yourself in the rich historical context, strategic calculations, and geopolitical complexities that shaped the war's trajectory. Meticulously researched and objectively presented, this book provides a deep understanding of the origins, key events, and far-reaching consequences of the Iraq War.Book 2, "Embedded in the Heat of Battle: A Journalist's Account of the Iraq War," puts you in the shoes of a courageous journalist reporting from the front lines. Experience the adrenaline, the dangers, and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists seeking to uncover the truth amidst the chaos of war. This captivating firsthand account offers a unique perspective on the realities and complexities of reporting in a conflict zone.Book 3, "Aftermath: Rebuilding Iraq and Its Challenges," delves into the complex process of rebuilding a nation torn apart by war. Explore the socio-political, economic, and humanitarian challenges faced in the post-war era. From restoring infrastructure to establishing governance, this book provides a critical analysis of the successes, shortcomings, and ongoing struggles in the reconstruction of Iraq.Book 4, "The Human Cost: Stories of Resilience and Redemption in the Iraq War," reveals the deeply personal stories of individuals who endured the horrors of war and emerged with remarkable resilience and strength. These powerful narratives highlight the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity, capturing the sacrifices, courage, and unwavering determination of civilians and soldiers.With the "Iraq War: Covert Operations and Secret Agendas" book bundle, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the war's hidden dimensions, the experiences of those on the front lines, the challenges of rebuilding a shattered nation, and the human stories that often go untold. This collection offers a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of the Iraq War, inviting you to reflect on the complexities of war, the power of resilience, and the enduring impact on individuals and societies.Whether you are a history enthusiast, a journalism buff, or someone seeking a deeper understanding of the Iraq War, this book bundle is a must-read. Each book in the collection is meticulously researched, expertly written, and offers a unique perspective on the conflict. Delve into the covert operations, secret agendas, and the profound human stories that shaped this pivotal moment in history.Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating narratives of the Iraq War. Order the "Iraq War: Covert Operations and Secret Agendas" book bundle today and embark on a journey that will challenge your understanding, inspire reflection, and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the complexities and human experiences of war.

A unique perspective on the planning and execution of coalition warfare and the employment of multinational forces during Operation "Iraqi Freedom.

Within the city walls, a monster hunt rages. Outside, an army marches.For Ahsan and the beast hiding under his skin, the safest place to hide is behind enemy lines. These days, the trick is knowing where that is. When the Blight Hunt comes to Sippar, it's all he can do to escape scrutiny. Yet when his plans go awry and his deadly secret risks being exposed, he finds he's not the only one harboring dark truths-nor the only one in peril.Nirah has advanced in her priestess arts, but when disaster arrives on her doorstep, she will stop at nothing to save the city she loves-and the man she loves. Yet as a mysterious force advances and Sippar is thrown into chaos, everything she knows crumbles, and she must decide where her faith truly lies.It is a wicked evil that coils around Sippar, and an enemy older than anyone realizes. Amongst epic floods and bloodshed, royal cabals and allegations of dark magic, Ahsan and Nirah are again drawn together, each other's best chance for survival.Book 2 in The Imposter King series, The Wretched Spy is packed with ancient monsters, sizzling romance, bronze-age warfare, and more. Continue the saga today.

"From bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Steve Coll, the definitive story of the decades-long relationship between the United States and Saddam Hussein, and a deeply researched and news breaking investigation into how human error, cultural miscommunication, and hubris led to one of the greatest geopolitical conflicts of our time When the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, its message was clear: Iraq, under the control of strongman Saddam Hussein, possessed weapons of mass destruction which, if left unchecked, posed grave danger to the world. But when no WMDs were found, the US and its allies were forced to consider that their political and intelligence failures had led to one of the most disastrous conflicts of our time. And a more integral question remained unsolved: Why had Saddam seemingly sacrificed his long reign in power by giving the impression that he possessed hidden stocks of dangerous weapons? The Achilles Trap masterfully untangles the people, ploys of power, and geopolitics that led to America's disastrous war with Iraq, and, for the first time, dramatizes America's fundamental miscalculations during its decades-long relationship with Saddam Hussein. Beginning with Saddam's rise to power in 1979 and the birth of Iraq's secret nuclear weapons program, Steve Coll traces Saddam's motives by way of his inner circle. He brings to life the diplomats, scientists, family members, and generals who had no choice but to defer to their leader-a leader directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, as well as the torture or imprisonment of hundreds of thousands more. This was a man whose reasoning was impossible to reduce to a simple explanation, and the CIA and successive presidential administrations failed to grasp integral nuances of his paranoia, resentments, and inconsistencies - even when the stakes were incredibly high. Calling on unpublished and under-reported sources, interviews with surviving participants, and Saddam's own transcripts and audio files, many of which have never been made public, Coll pulls together an incredibly comprehensive portrait of a man who was convinced the world was out to get him, and acted accordingly. A work of great historical significance, The Achilles Trap is the definitive account of how corruptions of power, lies of diplomacy, and vanity - on both sides - led to avoidable errors of statecraft, ones that would enact immeasurable human suffering and forever change the political landscape as we know it"--

Many countries in Asia are inhabited by multi-segment societies diversified in terms of race, religion, language and economic status. They have repeatedly provided the basis for analysis of the search for consensus in the construction of a political scene that would ensure the participation in power of each group. Regardless of the chosen model, the distribution of power in multi-segment societies has always been characterized by a state of "unstable equilibrium". Practical solutions constantly evolved between consociationalism, centripetalism, federalism. In extreme cases they led to political disintegration of states or to permanent domination of one of the segments, most often based on authoritarian solutions. In this volume, a group of scholars specializing in countries of the region try to point out the dynamics of the "unstable equilibrium" of power sharing in particular Asian countries and analyze the trends occurring in them in the 21st century.