After the Twin Towers fell, Donald Rumsfeld reportedly told President Bush: ‘Now we can do Iraq.’ The neo-conservatives said it would be easy: American troops would be greeted with flowers and sweets. But the occupation quickly unravelled, leaving Iraq in chaos. Welcome to the Forever Wars.

More from the LRB

The Belgrano Diary: ⁠https://lrb.me/belgranowotpod⁠ Subscribe to the LRB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lrb.me/subswotpod⁠ Close Readings podcast: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/crwotpod⁠ LRB Audiobooks: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/audiobookswotpod⁠ Bags, binders and more at the LRB Store: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/storewotpod⁠

Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk

Archive in this episode

‘American Policy in the Middle East: Options and Limitations’/Garfield Institute

‘Wolfowitz questioned on Iraq developments’/Associated Press

‘The Republican Presidential Debate’/CBS News

‘Pentagon Briefing’/C-Span

‘Inside the Pentagon's "Office of Special Plans"’/National Press Club

‘Wolfowitz: Iraqis Will "Greet Us As Liberators"’/C-Span

‘Presser by US administrator’/Associated Press

‘News conference by top US official in Iraq’/Associated Press

‘US Deputy Defence Secy on whirlwind tour’/Associated Press

‘Bremer announces Saddam capture, Sanchez, Pachachi’/Associated Press

‘WRAP Sovereignty handed over, ceremony, Bremer leaves’/Associated Press

‘Solemn Duty – Campaign Ad’/The Republican Party/Maverick Media

‘Excerpt of al-Sadr's presser’/Associated Press

‘Fox News’/Fox

Parliamentary Recording Unit