all 7 comments

[–]bitter_cynical_angry 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just watched this again the other day, it's really good. Covers the buildup to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the pussyfooting of the Bush administration in initially coming to grips with the situation, the shameless propaganda that eventually forced their hand, the building of the coalition, the war itself, and then the tragic aftermath where we let Hussain completely fuck over and murder the Kurds. One of the telling quotes I thought was something along the lines that the Gulf War didn't last 2 months it lasted 20 years, in reference to it being a kind of extension and ultimately an end to the post-Vietnam malaise. Both the military and the political establishment were determined not to have another Vietnam, and props to them for succeeding wonderfully in that, but it's an open question whether the Middle East ended up being better off because of it.

Another thing I thought was interesting was the bits with Margaret Thatcher. I honestly don't know very much about her politics other than that she was controversial and polarizing but also fairly popular, but I thought she spoke very well and forcefully and I can see why she was very well regarded by some.

[–]mattar12 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Thanks for this! Such a great thorough documentary.

I was 10 years old during The Gulf War, I was glued to the TV then, and this was a pleasant reminder of my childhood...I still have my old desert storm trading cards. I had desert storm stickers on everything I owned...I was so proud of our country!

[–]HeyCarpy[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I'm the same age but I'm Canadian, and I remember it very vividly as well. I even remember watching the classic night vision shots of Baghdad being bombed when it was breaking news. I grew up in Halifax, and being a navy town I remember watching the ships leave the harbour too. The whole city came out to watch the boys go. It was a very formative thing for a 10 year old kid.

[–]mattar12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Gulf War as a child, then September 11th as college student, led me to becoming an Army Officer myself(served 4 years, got out in 2008)...it was much more exciting on TV than it was to experience in real life, but my war was also quite different.

Halifax is a beautiful place! My wife & I honeymooned in Cape Breton Island. We flew into Halifax and spent a couple days there, then drove up to Cape Breton...great times!

[–]MarinoAlperon 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Soundtrack from Excalibur!!!


The desert strike video game also had a nice soundtrack

[–]oj88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good reflected documentary. Thanks.