As the war against Iraq was approaching, many international organizations were working to identify and anticipate the effects of this new conflict on the civilian population and economy of Iraq. Interviews with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War present us with possible scenarios for the conduct and repercussions of the current war. What is the price, and who will pay it?
Part 6 of "XXI CENTURY" also looks at the damage done to the UN, the refusal of the US to join the International Criminal Court, to be bound by any international standards. It looks at the justification for war, namely weapons of mass destruction. Former weapons inspector Scott Ritter demolishes that argument. So what are we fighting for? Howard Zinn points out that the central feature of US policy in the Middle East is our need for a dependable supply of oil. It alone can explain our actions from the overthrow of the Mossadegh regime in Iran in 1956 to the first Gulf War in 1991, even to our attempt to oust Hugo Chávez in Venezuela.
Helping us deconstruct US foreign policy are Gore Vidal, Roger Normand of the Center for Economic and Social Rights, Jose Alvarez of Columbia Law School, investigative journalist Greg Palast, and historian Arno Mayer.
Other titles in the series are:
the dawn (part I) A look at what really happened in the presidential elections of 2000.
...and the pursuit of happiness (part II) The aftermath of 9/11: the war on terror, the Patriot Act, the looming Iraq war and massive peace demonstrations.
...and nothing but the truth (part III) Looks at the failure of the mainstream media to ask important questions and cover opposing points of view.
war, peace and patriotism (part IV) Patriotism, the 'chicken-hawks' and weapons of mass destruction.
civilization (part V) Iraq's history -- from the 'cradle of civilization' to the first Gulf War and UN sanctions.
pax americana (part VII) Spreading human rights and democracy...or empire?
