Why The West Failed In Iraq and Afghanistan - Steve Coll talks to Aaron Bastani

The wars waged by The West in Afghanistan and Iraq were pivotal moments in the modern history of foreign policy. In the rearview mirror, both of these campaigns look like terrible failures both strategically and politically. The Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan, and living standards are worse in Iraq than they were before Saddam Hussein's years in power.

In his new book, 'The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the United States and the Middle East, 1979-2003', veteran journalist Steve Coll looks at British and American foreign policy through the lens of one man - the aforementioned Saddam Hussein.

He sat down with Aaron to talk Afghanistan, Iraq and why it's a mistake to avoid talking to your enemies.

00:00 Intro
01:40 Early Days in Afghanistan
08:23 Pakistan’s Role in Afghanistan
12:18 The Iranian's Role
19:14 Why Did Saddam Want Nukes?
21:02 War in Kuwait
29:16 Saddam & Chemical Weapons
40:29 Donald Rumsfeld
44:38 How To Talk To Your Enemy
51:53 Do Sanctions Work?

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