No End in Sight
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No End in Sight

No End in Sight critically examines the American occupation of Iraq following the fall of Baghdad in May 2003. Directed by Charles Ferguson, it focuses on the key decisions made during the early months of the occupation and their long-lasting consequences. Through a series of interviews with high-ranking officials, military personnel, and experts, it paints a picture of mismanagement and incompetence at the highest levels of the U.S. government.

The film begins by highlighting the lack of post-invasion planning, a crucial oversight that set the stage for the ensuing chaos. It criticizes key figures such as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for deploying an insufficient number of troops to maintain order and failing to declare martial law after the country’s conquest. This decision led to widespread looting and destruction of important government buildings and cultural sites, with only the oil ministry being adequately protected.

One of the central themes is the inexperience of the core members of the Bush administration and their reluctance to seek or accept input from more experienced outsiders. This is exemplified by the appointment of L. Paul Bremer III as the director of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), despite his lack of experience in the Middle East or military affairs.

The documentary identifies three critical decisions made by Bremer that had far-reaching consequences. First, the failure to stop the looting in Baghdad, which sent a signal to Iraqis that the American forces were not interested in maintaining law and order. Second, the decision to remove all Ba’ath Party members from government positions, effectively paralyzing every function of civilian life in Iraq. Third, the disbanding of the Iraqi Army, which left half a million young men unemployed and armed, contributing to the growing insurgency.

Through interviews with key figures such as Ambassador Barbara Bodine, General Jay Garner, and Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, No End in Sight provides firsthand accounts of the decision-making process and its aftermath. It also features insights from Iraqi nationals, offering a local perspective on the occupation’s impact.

The film presents a chronological account of events, supported by archival footage and news reports. It covers the period from the initial invasion to the escalating violence and instability that followed, illustrating how a series of missteps and poor decisions transformed a swift military victory into a protracted and costly occupation.

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