The Iraq War Explained

Mr. Beat tells the story of arguably the most controversial war in American history- the Iraq War.
This video has been heavily censored. For a less censored version: • The Iraq War Explained...
Produced by Matt Beat. and Beat Productions, LLC. All images/video by Matt Beat, Shannon Beat, found in the public domain, or used under fair use guidelines. Music by @ElectricNeedleRoom(Mr. Beat's band), Bad Snacks, Kwon, Gunnar Olsen, and CreatorMix.com
Here's an annotated script with footnotes: docs.google.com/document/d/1S...
Sources/further reading:
To Start a War: How the Bush Administration Took America Into Iraq by Robert Draper
Purchase here: amzn.to/43g2BLu
Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq by Thomas E. Ricks
Purchase here: amzn.to/3TfXF4P
Disarming Iraq by Hans Blix
Purchase here: amzn.to/4caprbn
The American Pageant. (16th edition). Cengage Learning.
The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People (9th edition)
America Through the Lens (National Geographic)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...
1ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2F...
• 60 Minutes' 2003 inves...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War
www.britannica.com/event/Iraq...
www.pbs.org/newshour/show/per...
• Truth, War and Consequ...
www.npr.org/2023/02/03/115116...
www.bbc.com/news/world-64914542
www.theguardian.com/world/200...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_in...
www.pbs.org/newshour/world/wh...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...
Creative commons credits: Aaron Keene, Ragesoss, Mstyslav Chernov, Fibonacci Blue
Related videos:
• 9/11 Explained
• The Gulf War Explained
• The American President...
• The American President...
• The American President...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @iammrbeat
For business inquiries or to send snail mail to Mr. Beat:
www.iammrbeat.com/contact.html
/ iammrbeat
How to support and donate to my channel:
Subscribe to @iammrbeat & hit the notification bell 🔔
Join for great perks on Patreon: / iammrbeat
Donate to Mr. Beat on Paypal: www.paypal.me/mrbeat
Buy Mr. Beat a coffee: ko-fi.com/iammrbeat
Cameo: www.cameo.com/iammrbeat
Subscribe to my second channel: The Beat Goes On
Patreon for The Beat Goes On: / thebeatgoeson
Connect with me:
Links: linktr.ee/iammrbeat
Website: www.iammrbeat.com/
Podcast: anchor.fm/thebeatpod
Reddit: / mrbeat
@beatmastermatt on Twitter: / beatmastermatt
Facebook: / iammrbeat
Instagram: / iammrbeat
Beatcord: / discord
TikTok: / iammrbeat
Merch:
matt-beat-shop.fourthwall.com/
www.bonfire.com/store/mr-beat/
sfsf.shop/support-mrbeat/
amzn.to/3fdakiZ
Affiliate Links:
Useful Charts: usefulcharts.com/?aff=12
Fourthwall: link.fourthwall.com/MrBeat
StreamYard: streamyard.com/pal/d/52723408...
#ushistory #iraqwar #iraq
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:10 Causes of The Iraq War
12:22 What Went Down in The Iraq War
26:28 The Legacy of The Iraq War

[@iammrbeat]

This video has been heavily censored. For a less censored version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4fLimSio8d6p8U This video is also demonetized, meaning I will make considerably less money from ad revenue. Which event in American history should I make a video about next?

[@OrangeBulbs]

An updated WW2 video would be cool, although we all know you can make nearly any historical event fun to learn about.

[@lakota_himself]

love how youtube doesnt want people to know about history lmao

[@user-bg9tz5lt5w]

You should do a livestream to make up for the lost revenue from this video! I bet folks would give superchats for answers to questions!

[@iftachderazon2051]

Six day war

[@communistparty-zs2ts]

“What’s disastrous? I’m mr beast”

[@muhammedaleem882]

As an Iraqi, I'm very glad to see people in the US talk about the invasion. We lost so much. Thank you Mr Beat.

[@iammrbeat]

I am happy that your country is finally recovering. It's a beautiful place with beautiful people.

[@wick-ps9xg]

no one cares.

[@stephaniewilliams6756]

Bless you and F our corrupt government here in the USA

[@hekasdqwe]

you still breathing down there ? I call that an achievement.

[@HkAs-xh9zt]

Is it true that you guys don't wash your hands after using the toilet ?

[@AydenDonley]

I came for the weapons of mass destruction, but I stayed for the oil and geopolitical gains

[@iammrbeat]

lol

[@jeffslote9671]

No oil was gained. The idea we went in for oil is a myth

[@Robert-hy3vv]

Mustard gas is a WMD (iraq used them to kill 10,000 kurds)

[@ydrm_red7130]

@@jeffslote9671 we propped up a government that would trade oil with us, so while we didn’t steal oil, we did get to buy some.

[@Tirana-qg1ft]

Isn't America the largest oil producer in the world? I don't think they needed the oil

[@PASTRAMIKick]

Another important detail was that the largest employer in Saddam's Iraq, was the Iraqi army, which was disbanded by the US instead of reorganizing it, which led to thousands of trained iraqi soldiers finding themselves without a job and a power vaccum. What happened next was only natural, the surging islamist insurgent groups had a wide pool of highly trained manpower that was very eager to put their skills into action.

[@tr1bes]

Yep, the Iraqi army being jobless became ISIS and or mercenaries. Later on, US try to undo it by providing military job for those ex- Iraqi soldiers as Iraq government soldier. US development plans and objectives are slow to fruition and sometime has no goal. People like the Republican were oppose to Biden's end the 20+ year war scenario but has no resolution or goal to end it.

[@injest1928]

I remember hearing of this for the first time. I couldn't believe they could be so stupid, but alas, it's true. General Jay Garner's approach was focused on quickly restoring Iraqi self-governance and maintaining the existing Iraqi military structure to help stabilize the country. This didn't sit well with the US government, and after less than two months in charge, he was replaced with Paul Bremer, who wanted to disband the Iraqi army. He did so within days of being appointed defacto leader of Iraq. (Edit: Thanks davidemme2344 for pointing out inaccuracies, see below)

[@Warriorbob-im5py]

The Iraqi soldiers were anything but trained, let alone highly trained. I remember trying to retrain these guys and having to explain that rifles have sights and if you line them up correctly, you can hit your target.

[@injest1928]

​@Warriorbob-im5py that's really interesting, what part of the war were you training ex military? Surely they can't have all been that bad? The 2003 invasion came after Iraq had a bloody war with Iran, the invasion of Kuwait, the Gulf war, and a civil war with the Kurds. You'd think they'd have been reasonably competent after so much conflict.

[@davidemme2344]

@@injest1928 A little inaccurate. First Bush promised soldiers from Colonel and below would be retained if they put their arms down against us. It was not the US government who decided this but Paul Bremmer all by himself being supported by President Bush despite it conflicting with his past plan to integrate the ING and Republican Guard into the recovery and political process. Technically-yes it was the US government that did this but in the end it was Bremmer.

[@thomasquinlan8704]

I remember when this happened my dad was practically in tears being a Vietnam war veteran and explaining the racket that war is to me and telling me how a bunch of young men were going to die for no reason

[@tr1bes]

Vietnam and Iraq war is a useless endeavor war. Nothing to be gain for ordinary folks. It's a rich man war to line up their pocketbook.

[@mockupguy3577]

Oh, not for no reason! For the personal family vendetta of the Bushes.

[@anthonyfratta4881]

Tell your father many of us Iraq vets feel the same way. I hope there are enough of us to make a change.

[@martinfernandez882]

Sounds like a great man. The kind of man so many Americans NEED to hear*. I'm so disappointed by how many war mongers still thrive in American polite society.

[@user-lp5wb2rb3v]

@@anthonyfratta4881 As an Iraqi Im happy that there are humane Americans out there.

[@hassanihsan6863]

I'm an Iraqi born in 2001 and I experienced a lot of the sectarian violence that happened between 2006-2008. It was tragic seeing so many people die to suicide car bombs as a child and regular life was difficult as there was rampant crime such as kidnappings and random shootings on the street, not to mention the unstable electricity grid that made life during the hotter months of the year feel like hell. Iraq now is much more stable (relatively speaking anyway) and the standard of living has gone up significantly, but I always wonder how my life would have turned out if I didn't have those experiences of living in a warzone as a kid. I think it made me a stronger person with more appreciation for what I have, but I'm also sometimes haunted by survivor's guilt and memories of my christian and mandean friends that ended up fleeing the country because it wasn't safe for them.

[@sneakyviewing4391]

It's awesome you're talking about this. More people need to hear these kinds of things. I'm sorry you had to live through all of that.

[@jjjsalang]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@THE_MOONMAN]

Thank you from Canada for sharing your experience! I can't even imagine seeing and having to understand such things as a child. I am grateful that we have the internet so we can share such info without it being malformed and abused by the media to fit whatever agenda they see fit. I'm same generation to you and thinking back on that time and how biased our media is, and how that was some of the only way we were able to hear about these events in North America. Like Mr beat said, even our "supposedly democratic" celebrities and movie stars were mostly pro war and were booing Michael Moore off stage. I am very thankful we have our own access to information now so we don't support unjust wars. Though there's still more work to do as with the Israel-hamas war, it is clear it is still possible today even

[@TuxedoMedia]

I'm sorry for what the evil American government did to you, your country and many more. I'm filled guit because the taxes I paid funded it. I'm sorry.

[@hassanihsan6863]

@@TuxedoMedia No need to apologize to me. Just make sure the same mistakes are not repeated.

[@qjames0077]

Unfortunate that such a terrible war was based on A Rock

[@iammrbeat]

But it was a terrible rock. It wasn't The Rock.

[@qjames0077]

@@iammrbeat truth

[@austinv311]

Not a rock...Cake. Yellow. maybe Uranium, maybe not...let's go find out! YEEHAW

[@qjames0077]

@@austinv311 pretty concise

[@TheKoopatroopa31]

A rock lobster?

[@khaluu2000]

Hey mr beats, sorry for the KZbin censorship, just saw your post. It might not be too much to compensate but I appreciate the time and effort you put into your work!!

[@mop4yy]

damn bro where are you getting this money from

[@gargoylelamp39]

@@mop4yyprobably from invading foreign countries

[@tuckerbugeater]

i'm sure you're a real peach @@gargoylelamp39

[@Noodlyk18]

Watching this is so.. nostalgic, in a messed up way. I'm from an Arab country, I was 8 when the US invaded Iraq, I remember that day very well. My dad always had Al Jazeera on, we all sat down in silence watching the explosions and the tanks rolling in. My dad hated Saddam with a passion, and I used to sit next to him and watch the news, so I was surprised that he didn't seem happy about the invasion. It's so.. eerie looking at those pictures, the taking of the airport, the crossing swords, Saddam's statue, the oil fields, I had no idea I still had all that in memory. I even remember Saddam's capture very vividly because it was my birthday, weird times. His hanging was shown on TV, I remember watching that barely comprehending what I was seeing while everyone had their mouths open, then started the theories that it was a body double, of course. The following years are a blur of daily reports about death and destruction. It was pretty grim to realize that the US could just invade your country, and nothing could be done about it. I didn't even realize how much those memories stuck, but the moment I saw the picture I recognized all those bastards, Rumsfeld, Cheney, and the rest of the gang, include Tony Blair too. Which tells you how impactful that era was because I couldn't tell you who any US cabinet members are post-Bush besides presidents and VPs. These people will never see the irony of forcing democracy and why it doesn't work. Or excuse me, they know, they had different goals, they didn't give a shit. Don't believe in hell but if it exists I hope they have a nice spot next to Kissinger. As a side note, I fucking hate to see the public reaction to people voicing their concerns about it, whether it be the Oscar clip, what happened to the Dixie Chicks... Hell, even reminds me of Sinead O'Connor and the pope debacle. People are fucking stupid.

[@abrahamlincoln937]

If only Al Gore was elected president in 2000.

[@Ismael-kc3ry]

@@abrahamlincoln937 It might've been better but looking at how other liberals acted post-9/11, it wouldn't have been that much better.

[@abrahamlincoln937]

@@Ismael-kc3ry I believe that if Gore was elected president in 2000, the War in Afghanistan would have still happened, but I believe that Gore would have avoided the Iraq War.

[@stonersiren]

yes, the US can just invade your country and nothing can be done about it, correct. imagine giving hitler back then the biggest military, fucking nukes, insane cultural & financial hold over the entire world... would that have ended well? who could have done anything about it without causing the apocalypse?

[@zackcrochiere4721]

I had a professor in college who I told I never believed Iraq had WMDs and he basically said he didn't believe me, everyone thought that at the time. I love the reminders of the investigations in the news, the way they were pushing for it years before, basically making me feel less gaslit about the whole thing like I was just imaging the movement opposed to it.

[@iammrbeat]

That's why it's so important to teach the truth about the past...as best as we can, anyway.

[@Robert-hy3vv]

mustard gas is a WMD (the thing saddam used to genocide his own kurdish ppl)

[@eamonnkeenan3771]

Manufactured consent 🤥

[@eamonnkeenan3771]

Manufactured consent

[@MrBazBake]

I was in my high school in Austin getting news about the recount to see if my governor would be president after he destroyed our education system. My comp sci teacher literally screamed in my face that the recount was stealing the election from him. 9/11 happened days before my first day of college 100 miles away, then in my ethics class 2 years later my TA had this flat, satisfied smirk on his face explaining after class why it was so important to invade Iraq with no evidence of Iraq having WMDs in the middle of an inspection. In his words -- "you never know." This whole thing was like a black, creeping fog of insanity at the time. It was totally insane. I remember some French reporter came to campus to interview me and I just lost it on camera I was so done with it. I apologized to her, but she turned off the camera with a smile and just said, "No. Thank you." That's when I first realized that the problem wasn't me. 😐

[@Sanyiago7]

Peter: Ground zero. So this is where the first guy got aids. Brian: Peter, this is the site of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Peter: Ohhh, so, Saddam Hussein did this? Brian: No. Peter: The Iraqi army? Brian: No. Peter: Some guys from Iraq? Brian: No. Peter: That one lady who visited Iraq that one time? Brian: No, Peter, Iraq had nothing to do with this. It was a bunch of Saudi Arabians, Lebanese, and Egyptians that were financed by a Saudi Arabian guy living in Afghanistan and sheltered by Pakistanis. Peter: ...So you're saying we need to invade Iran?

[@gamingforever9121]

Yes!😂

[@fajaradi1223]

Don't you remember what those IRA's done to Ireland? Don't ask what's the difference between Iraq, Iran, and IRA!

[@salsathemonkey22]

So you're saying we need to nuke the entire middle east. Got it.

[@alistairwright3464]

werent 6 from the uae then it was like

[@jakemocci3953]

And planned by Israelis

[@anarchohelenism]

If there’s any silver lining to the Iraq war it’s that a lot of people growing up in the 2000s learned firsthand how awful and incompetent the US government can be

[@victorsamsung2921]

Yup. Just look at the 9:00 timestamp ... seeing Joe 'sleepy' Biden being all giddy about the upcoming Iraqi invasion etc. Just the same rat now as it was back then.

[@rickywilliams1586]

Boomers grew up learning the same thing with the Vietnam War. Yet, when it was their turn to run the country they just perpetuated the same exact sins their parents and grandparents committed. Its why i have zero faith in mellinials and gen z when they run the country. They'll just commit the same sins as the boomers and gen x.

[@courier3567]

Incompetent? They succeeded in all of their goals. Saddam is dead and the middle east continues to provide energy to western countries and ISIS got destroyed. The region is more stable and less shitty than before.

[@olmy5297]

I think it only really becomes silver lining once the radicalization of Gen z turns into action for a better future. The Iraq war will forever remain a senseless tragedy but hopefully we can be better.

[@ahmedOsama81931]

The majority of white Americans supported the wars in the Middle East. Now there are millions of Muslim refugees in Europe, Europeans must atone for the sins of their white American brothers.

[@icysaracen3054]

My Iraqi friend was totrtured under the Saddam regime, accused of being a spy because he knew four languages. When I asked him whether the post Saddam iraqi regime was any better he said no.

[@goldmo2427]

Iraq was good under saddam actually pre west slowly destroying it .. just as they destroyed Libya and many others

[@enesduraku6087]

Iraq is a simple case of the oppressed (Shia majority and Kurdish sunnis) having their turn at the oppressor (Arab Sunnis). Never has ended well and it never will.

[@Smooth_Bandit0]

No effing way!? MY OLD APARTMENT WAS JUST IN FRAME AT HAWK'S POINTE. The road he's standing on leads to a McDonald's at the corner. ROCK CHALK MR BEAT

[@iammrbeat]

I LIVED BASICALLY WHERE YOU LIVED. Rock Chalk!

[@user-xr7tc6mx1j]

@@iammrbeat careful cia

[@coryjohnson2486]

Nice try, but nearly every street here in America leads to “a McDonald’s at the corner.” /s (but not really)

[@Just-the-Gameplay]

Right next to the worst burger King known to man. rcjh

[@fezchavez]

What's the bar to churches ratio where you live?

[@jesseestrada8914]

Fun fact: I was in a Marine unit on the border of Iraq when this happened. We never got to see that footage. To us that morning was a very strange morning but very similar to all the rest where we would run to the border then shoot some guns around then go back and repeat the next day. Then, one day we DIDN'T go back to our bivouac.

[@StephenLuke]

Thank you for your service! 🫡

[@jesseestrada8914]

@@StephenLukethank you. Veterans always feel awkward when people thank us, but we do appreciate the support. NGL though, I enlisted under the waning days of clinton and thought I was just getting a free ride for college. whoops.

[@godhimself1128]

​@@jesseestrada8914I was listening to a Futurama podcast where this was brought up! Those poor 18 year olds in 2000 who enlisted thinking they'd get an easy cruise towards GI Bill benefits.....only for a 20 year to happen

[@Podzhagitel]

yeah. i’m thinking rah, devil. yut even.

[@skp8748]

​@@jesseestrada8914 office of special plans

[@miriamnajim]

dude honestly thank you so much for this video! My dad is from Iraq and he fled very early on because he was a journalist and so I was born in germany. His mother was kurdish so I can just FEEL the transgenerational trauma especially currently with whats going on in the Gaza strip… It sounds twisted but simply getting coverage like this and being acknowledged means so much… especially getting the truth out in the western world. Keep going!

[@JoshuaRyanActual]

As someone who fought in the Iraq war, I honestly appreciate your take and level handed way of discussing not just Operation Iraqi Freedom, but also Operation Desert Fox and Desert Storm. Great video

[@VsofiaV]

So glad you were able to get the video out!

[@iammrbeat]

Me too. I finally censored it enough! lol

[@adamhernandez2307]

@@iammrbeatso sad to hear though. All of this is pertinent information

[@wavedgalaxy]

@@iammrbeat I love your work Mr. Beat! I appreciate the work and research you do to bring us knowledge, and sometimes you're doing it basically for free.

[@arlonfoster9997]

@@iammrbeat I feel like this justification of the Iraq War by Bush sounds almost like James Polk looking for a excuse to go to war with Mexico in the 1840s (Mexican American War)

[@gamingforever9121]

@@iammrbeatKZbin no like the truth.😂

[@adamthaeer217]

As an Iraqi This War destroyed our life our country our society our economy for 21 years and we still suffering from the consciences of the war For What ?

[@DankoStojanovic]

For oil

[@harukrentz435]

To keep MIC get going, duh....

[@Compucles]

To be fair, your country wasn't much better off under Saddam Hussein. It's unfortunately been a miserable 40+ years for the country of Iraq.

[@adamthaeer217]

@@DankoStojanovic I do not think so, why did they dismiss all the army Police and even firefighter ? release all prisoners convicted of criminal offences encouraging ppl to rob banks, Museums and libraries

[@adamthaeer217]

@@Compucles What ? I hate Saddam Hussain and his Regime (he was a Dictator) but nobody ask you to destroy every single structure in the country it was one of the safest country on the earth thank to your help it has become a hotbed of global terrorism :alqaida, ISIS, drug, gangs, militias and arm groups . like what are you talking about? when it will end the white mans burden shit? you are not saviors you are criminals .

[@nicklwells]

im glad you were able to get this video out without the age restriction. as someone who, at the time, wasn't old enough to quite grasp what was happening (i was in kindergarten on 9/11) i appreciate learning more about it.

[@leonsyrxp]

Mr. Beat, every video I watch of yours I can't help but admire the amount of effort and skill that you put into them. The subtitles and footnotes, too, are all of immense help for me to follow along. Thank you for all you do for the educational community here in KZbin. I just wish I could donate more. God Bless you. 😊❤

[@pablomoreno6293]

Always a good moment to say how bad was Bush as president.

[@Peace-1ove-hope-Faith]

Now watch him hit this drive

[@iammrbeat]

I still think he was one of our worst presidents.

[@nigeh5326]

@@iammrbeatnot as bad as Wilson though! At least according to the Cynical Historian and Chris at VLogging through History 😊

[@TheAqualegend]

@@nigeh5326 Here's hoping there won't be a modern president worse than Wilson! Lol

[@nigeh5326]

@@TheAqualegend if there is it will be the end of us all around the world 😊

[@pandoraisadog]

Thank you so much for this. I was born in 2003, and never understood what was happening in those years. Too bad that KZbin age restricts amazing videos like these.

[@iammrbeat]

Thank YOU so much!!

[@willback8513]

I was born a month after we invaded Iraq, for many years until i turned 18, it was difficult to find non age restricted videos about the invasion. You're a saint Mr. Beat!@@iammrbeat

[@drugoviic]

information is everywhere you just havent looked it up

[@foxxy-3748]

@@drugoviic True, but its nice and perfectly reasonable to enjoy a video that summarizes that information in an informative and entertaining way. He even provides sources to do that research.

[@victorsamsung2921]

I am born in 1994 and was 9 when the Iraq Invasion happened. I wasn't really able to grasp the seriousness of the situation as a consequence. However, I do remember as I was growing up at the time, like going to High School, that Iraq ended up being like this big mindf*ck, with just one lie after the other. That includes, following the reveal of what Wikileaks did.

[@benjahildebrandt2001]

My dad was i Iraq and according to him it was a common understanding amongst his colleagues that the war had nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction

[@hardrock6r]

I can vouch for that

[@Sobabe-el5ke]

The fact that we get free videos from Mr. Beat on KZbin is priceless; keeping the education and knowledge alive. 🙏🙏🙏

[@byhooksorbycrooks7650]

These videos take time and money to produce. And they’re informative. Good job. As a side note, I was in college driving to class one morning when I happened upon a radio show that had people calling in. I’ll never forget a man on the phone (with a country accent as thick as pea soup) just apoplectic that these “young people” didn’t understand what “we” were doing to help them and the impending invasion of Iraq was one of those things. I guess he thought it was going to help us fight terrorism. I was a dumb kid in my early twenties but I still knew the war was being started for completely bogus reasons. It was all a big lie. Really tragic.

[@iammrbeat]

Often the kids are not only alright, but they're right. We should listen to them more. Thanks for the monetary and vocal support!

[@lawron2]

And more endless big lies are still going on today.

[@notorioustori]

I was a medic in the national guard at the time. When ppl were feeling nationalistic and joining the military, I was disgusted and getting out. I was around 21 & even then I felt the only WMDs the officials kepts chirping about must've only been the ones we sent decades prior. While I felt vindicated for my decision, I was still upset because I'd lost people so that Rumsfeld and friends could enrich themselves on lies. Thanks for posting this!

[@zonefitzgerald]

I remember the nationalistic surge of recruits. It was blasphemy to say anything against the "passionate Americans who are hearing their calling to defend their country." 😑

[@eq2092]

I feel you brother. I was a Marine that still had friends in while I was in college on GI Bill. I smelled BS from jump street. I recall civilians accusing me of being unpatriotic because I refused to warmonger. Glad I didn't go everyone I talked to said the occupation was straight up B.S. very few stand up fights. Mostly just rolling around in convoys praying you don't get nailed by an IED.

[@NoBSRecoverfacts]

Thank you so much, super informative.And the way that you speak keeps people engaged.Keep going man I believe in you

[@velvetthunder2830]

Just in time for my research paper for my upper-undergraduate. Thank you for the insights and information where I can gather additional primary and secondary sourcing. Thanks, Mr. Beat!

[@AlexMathiesen]

I went to the George W Bush Library in Dallas last year. One of the exhibits was an "interactive committee" where you have to make decisions based on what information you have. The early stages of the invasion of Iraq was one of these scenarios. It gave me the impression that the people designing the library were telling the visitors, "so you know that event that made Bush really unpopular? Here's why his decisions weren't actually that bad." That being said, good museum. Would recommend.

[@iammrbeat]

I've heard good things about the museum. Yeah, they all try to make the president they are representing look good. The Nixon Museum does that, too.

[@idiotamerica6422]

@@iammrbeatBeen to the Nixon museum, and it’s been a while since I’ve been there so my memory may not be the greatest, but basically, a premise of a lot of it’s discussion on Watergate is “we’ll give you the facts, and let you decide what to think”, not a bad thing, but I feel like they said that because they couldn’t criticize Nixon tbh

[@gamingforever9121]

@@iammrbeatNixon compared to Bush was objectively better. Bush sucked.

[@gamingforever9121]

@@iammrbeatat the very least Nixon was articulate. 😂

[@lukepelton2180]

@@gamingforever9121 Bush was incredibly articulate. He dumbed himself down intentionally

[@daltonleague5121]

Thanks for what you do sorry I can’t give more and that it keeps getting age restricted really appreciate you and all the history KZbinrs out there also gotta support my fellow kansan

[@iammrbeat]

Thank you so much!

[@devildog6513]

My uncle took part in the Invasion in 2003 and 14 years later I served in Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve with the Marine Corps in 2017 when ISIS had a large presence in that area. I always thought it was crazy to take part in the same war as my uncle did. Growing up watching the coverage of the invasion and the following conflicts only to go to the same region, seeing the devastation of the Syrian people following the effects of their Civil War, ISIS and the Global War on Terror was crazy to me. Still is to this day. Good job being unbiased. War should never be glorified because it’s hell for all parties involved, definitely could have been avoided and makes me wonder what the region would look like today if we never got involved. But hindsight’s always 20/20

[@user-mx9nh6wc9r]

I'm glad you managed to get this video up despite KZbin giving you trouble. I've always wanted to hear more on your take on this topic.

[@goldenbasedgod]

Hi Mr. Beat, I found your videos about a year ago during a difficult period in my life. I’ve always loved history and I’ve recently been really drawn to learning about the Iraq war; as a 24 year old I was a child during most of the major conflict. I know you had been having a hard time uploading this video the way you wanted to, and I really appreciate that you were able to. Thank you for having this channel.

[@andrewjones6950]

I'm glad you were able to post this video at all. It's crazy how KZbin would demonetize this even though most Americans still believe the war was justified. Great content as always!

[@Lovingsplougemasterspermycum]

Wow i ended up watching well listening to the whole vid. Nice. Very factual and non biased. Good pacing and plesent voice over. Subbed!

[@BC_Geoff]

First time I've ever done this for any KZbinr. Thanks for the content, it's a real shame history is being censored (and demonitized)

[@iammrbeat]

Woah! Thank you so much!

[@valmid5069]

Cant wait for more great historical content Mr. Beat!

[@iammrbeat]

Thanks :)

[@charliebainbridge697]

i genuinely tried to search up a video by you about this war about 4-5 days ago and about a day later you made this, what a coincidence

[@tmackster69games31]

Thank you for this awesome video Mr. Beat!

[@PepperHand]

That was the most warhawk cabinet the US has seen

[@iammrbeat]

Arguably

[@Kenboi88LOL]

James K Polk

[@whardy0410]

I appreciate the awesome work you do for so many of us, man; thank you for putting this up despite all of the hiccups going on with demonetization. We all love the hard work you do. I am in college working towards being a teacher at the moment, and your work ethic inspires me so much.

[@iammrbeat]

Thank you so much!

[@udsting]

So many young patriots who could have served their country in politics and civil service sent to spend their years and their lives over a lie.

[@x217xwebb]

Two minutes in and I'm subbed and intrigued. Love your delivery and approach.

[@akorn9943]

I wish we talked more about legacy when we talked about history and current events. You can draw a direct link between our government’s invasion of Iraq and the death of every one of the hundreds of Americans who have been killed by ISIS, to say nothing of the millions subjugated by the caliphate in Iraq and Syria. It’s kind of obvious what and who we can blame for allowing their deaths to happen when you look to history. But for some strange reason most politicians and the media don’t seem to talk too much about that.

[@iammrbeat]

They often don't talk that much about that because it makes their teams look bad.

[@evanb4189]

This is like blaming Britian for the Holocaust because the treaty of Versailles was mean.

[@akorn9943]

@@evanb4189 Obviously Britain did not commit the crimes, but I think historians have long drawn the connection between Versailles and the rise of the Nazis. We should use that as a warning not to repeat the decisions they made there, just as we should be fully conscious of and constantly discussing the consequences of our leaders’ decision to invade Iraq, and hold them accountable when history shows it’s necessary.

[@screamskilos3951]

@@evanb4189 the treaty of versailles was a major reason for WWII and they were one of the countries pushing it so they DO have some responsibility in it.

[@godhimself1128]

​@@evanb4189""mean""

[@Noelll]

Insane the things you've talked about on this channel without being censored, I wonder if it's because it's about America's mistakes, or just how recent some of these events are that caused you so many issues with getting your video monetized. Thank you for your work, Mr. Beat.

[@dirgofserb]

KZbin has gotten super sensitive about any sensitive issues. Anything that could be considered controversial gets flagged to please the advertisers. It's unfortunate because it makes talking about serious issues like this difficult.

[@jtgd]

Its not anything complicated. KZbin values revenue more than controversial topics

[@kieranhurst8543]

​@@dirgofserbI don't buy it, right wing channels can literally spew their baseless conspiracy theories and get paid for it

[@Hugo97HD]

Use your brain buddy, KZbin just doesn't want to promote controversial topics.

[@transcendentmuzic1398]

Replace "America's mistakes" with "America's crimes"

[@BENNN1999]

Thanks for the video dude. I was 4 when this war started. I'm thankful to be able to think differently about these things

[@paulkyle]

Thanks for the video. May the engagement increase

[@brownell947]

Gosh, darn you Mr. beats always doing videos when I’m not expected even when I’m subscribed to you

[@iammrbeat]

Heck yeah

[@alexanderlarsen5641]

I’m from Iraq and i like watching your videos they’re very informative.

[@iammrbeat]

Do you still live there?

[@alexanderlarsen5641]

@@iammrbeatyes i live in Baghdad the capital. I was a kid during the war but i remember everything .

[@Mabja]

​@@alexanderlarsen5641show me your goats 🐐 and camels 🐫 , better yet show me the donkey 🫏 that you use to travel between different locations.

[@juvenilia_in_hell]

@@Mabja they have cars too 😭😭

[@alexanderlarsen5641]

@@Mabjawhat?

[@PaulJarvis5001]

Thank you for this video. So helpful and so much information for my book!

[@okokok9830]

Great video, the timeline layout put a lot more perspective on this conflict. All that aside, the background music at @17:15 produces the most distracting high pitch note for over a min and then it stops and loops throughout that section

[@iammrbeat]

Fascinating. Thanks for that feedback!

[@okokok9830]

@@iammrbeateverything else is awesome!

[@RajonRondo33]

I'm a current KU student who was too young to understand the Iraq War growing up. Thanks, Beat!

[@iammrbeat]

Maybe I'll see you around town!

[@Seavsta]

The best to ever summarize. Your work is greatly appreciated sir.

[@cyrollan]

thanks for another war explanation video. there are so many details i didn't know or understand as a younger guy.

[@Daniel-gk1dp]

Very informative. Thank you for making this.

[@iammrbeat]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GiveMeYourFACE9089]

I like how you gave the insert image at 3:38 a 3-dimensional tilt on the secondary camera

[@iammrbeat]

I appreciate that you appreciate that. :)

[@josephvalenzuela4327]

hey! i’m glad u were able to get this up. i’m gonna have it playing on my xbox while i watch the uncensored version on my phone!

[@iammrbeat]

Thanks for watching it...twice!!!

[@alvaroga1n]

Thank you for posting this

[@alynam82]

This was a great video, learned a lot that I wasn't aware of during this time

[@__personalaccount__6295]

I look forward to learning something new from you or just learning from this video. Especially after everything you went through to get it out. :-) I appreciate your effort Mr Beat

[@iammrbeat]

Thanks for the kind and supportive comment.

[@MalikF15]

So glad I found your channel you bring so much analysis and insight to some complex issues

[@iammrbeat]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@MalikF15]

@@iammrbeat quick question though beyond mistrust in government. How else has the war changed our views in government. For me it showed me for the first time the dangerous the military industrial complex.

[@belluh-1huey102]

​@MalikF15 For me it just increased gridlock within the government and made comprises less easy. Not to mention showing incompetence in politicians understanding the situation.

[@wishythefishy]

I hope this got monetized. Love your content and learning about the background of conflicts like this.

[@deIcorazon]

thank you for this one!!!

[@gmwdim]

Haven’t watched yet but commenting here to say keep up the good work, your efforts are appreciated.

[@midnightreader4747]

I've been watching for over a year now, love your channel.

[@iammrbeat]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words!

[@ZER0--]

The war was initially going to be called Operation Iraqi Liberation, but the initials were a bit too ironic.

[@artembiyun423]

top kek

[@TuxedoMedia]

I feel guilty every time I pay taxes over the evil done to Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and so many other places by the government.

[@dzonikg]

Now you pay tax for distroying Gaza

[@brodyjohnston976]

This hit close to home. Im 19 so I wasn’t born yet when this war happened, but my mom was in the army at the time and fought in the Iraq war. Her telling me stories about what happened, seeing pictures, and hearing about the friends she lost was always so interesting to me. Great video to get another perspective and learn more about this conflict.

[@Butter9322]

Did your mom ever say she regretted it? Did she ever explain to you how many innocent lives she ruined or did she only mention how SHE, the woman holding the gun in a foreigner's land, felt?

[@Rory-co4vm]

@@Butter9322it’s his mom chill. But also agreed, it’s very difficult to explain to people that pretty much the only veterans I respect are from Ww2 and WW1. Those were pretty much the two wars I can think of that we had a good reason to go into. I see troops as useful idiots who are willing to get paid bad wages to point a gun at whoever their superior tells them to. I see a soldier as beneath almost every other profession. The US is not in serious danger of invasion from anyone. We are just continuing with manifest destiny, we just feel a bit bad about it.

[@Butter9322]

@@Rory-co4vm Precisely. I don't feel bad for him mom though. Just a terrorist in my book.

[@skid126]

@@Butter9322 oh stfu soy boy 😂 get over it , go blame isis for killing innocent people and beheading them on video and doing suicide bombings

[@brodyjohnston976]

No I agree with what you are saying. And she did say that we had no right to be there and that it was a mistake.

[@gusfring8451]

Never learned much about the Iraq war. Thank you for your contribution to teaching people about it.

[@nono9543]

Thank you for this.

[@billyshawke8445]

Thank you Mr. Beat. I am currently basing my research paper for my college western civilization class on this very own video. You my friend, are helping me get a degree!

[@haidenlotze7530]

I have way less qualifications than you, but i think the mentioning of the “clutching defeat from the jaws of victory” aspect, the impact of the torture program, and the design of the Iraqi constitution may have been worth mentioning. Granted between algorithmic censorship, and just *time* i bet you probably did your best. That and/or other videos (you may have already made) Great video as always, and here’s to a more informed less messed up world!

[@bonabbyteit1516]

Hey Mr.Beat I'm a huge fan of your videos, I'm from Iraq. That video was amazing, dude. You covered a lot of topics I didnt know about, although I was born in Iraq in 2006 and learned a lot about Iraq invasion since I was 16 lol, and still..the effects and scars of the invasion remains to this day.. big love from Baghdad👍🇮🇶

[@bacca_boi_2176]

Excellent video Beat. Videos like this are what the internet should be about: educating people. A shame that KZbin feels that censoring historical, unbiased content is a good thing. Keep up the good work.

[@dersitzpinkler2027]

So glad to have Mr. Beat making educational videos on subjects that I find intimidating to read up on myself

[@tristinbridges2680]

not me getting absoluetly jumpscared by my own college being in the opening of this video lol great video though! As some one just too young to have experienced it, but someone who is going to have to teach it, I love seeing these more in-depth breakdowns of recent events.

[@CommonwealthPartyUSA]

Not one of our prouder moments in American History. Thank you Mr. Beat for this coverage on these topics/politics… The only way to prevent the past from happening again is to keep the history and aftermath of it alive!

[@223YesThatsMe]

Are you like a real pilitical party.

[@ItSABOUTPAPA]

@@223YesThatsMeProbably like a 3rd party or something

[@CommonwealthPartyUSA]

@@223YesThatsMe Yes and no. I personally as well as my ‘vice-president’ are far under the legal age limit to become a president- rather this party gives us a future platform, and is used to convey my personal message that it is time for young energy to be in charge of the Oval Office!

[@aquari_2344]

@@CommonwealthPartyUSA fascinating. good luck!

[@MajorPayne175]

One of the greatest tragedies of the 21st century. Thank you, Mr. Beat for this deep dive. As a military Veteran who has since separated from the service, I spend a lot of time thinking about what we were doing over there. The shame keeps me up at night 20 years later.

[@forthehaulofit]

It got on! So glad you mentioned the connection to Sr.; I always thought Jr. took the opportunity to exact revenge for what his father couldn't do.

[@russianhorde]

Whoa. Almost live and I finally get to hear the standby beats of Mr. Beat. Let’s do this!

[@iammrbeat]

I dropped the beats.

[@kingkrispy5289]

as a person from that "smaller country to the south" of iraq, Im happy you've shed light on this humanitarian crisis. i wish the best to my brothers and sisters up in iraq, good work as always Mr beat!

[@goldenstarmusic1689]

Thank you for this great history video.

[@softwaifu]

I never clicked so fast, I feel like I've been looking and waiting for this video forever

[@hollithomas899]

Mr Beat just finally showed the news clip I’ve been looking for at least 10 yrs. The operation shock and awe clip was on the news at my grandparents - I was 12 then..

[@obamabinladen4109]

Who the hell is beatboxing over this whole video 😂

[@iammrbeat]

That was random guy that came into my studio.

[@MrKedab]

brilliant film...super insightful, intellligent & funny - also great editing. bravo

[@thepoliticalapple5145]

Nice video. Thanks for staying unbiased

[@c.harlotte]

Commenting for the algorithm!!! Keep going mr beat

[@iammrbeat]

I appreciate your support!

[@liamcallahan9693]

The Beat will not be stopped!!!

[@iammrbeat]

lol I am often slowed down though

[@mackshannon6708]

This is well put together and educational thank you

[@blacki183]

Thank you for this great breakdown of the greatest war crime of this century.

[@Dannyboi-re7vb]

you inspire me to be a history teacher. Keep up the good work.

[@spritzerland658]

Pop quiz: How did the Mongols behave towards different religions?

[@Dannyboi-re7vb]

@@spritzerland658 They tolerated the other religions and would mostly leave them be if they did not raise arms against the empire. Even some famous Mongol generals and leaders converted to Islam and Christianity. It was also seen during the breakup of the Mongol empire like with the ILL Khanate in Persia or Yaun Dynasty in China the Mongols converted to the local Cultures and Religions.

[@spritzerland658]

@@Dannyboi-re7vb alright, that's pretty good! i have another one: List the number of reasons why Great Britain, from 1750 to 1850, saw its population more than double, and on top of that, why the population migrated to Britain's larger cities.

[@booradley32]

Thank you for releasing this video. It’s a shame that KZbin does not support true history from being told.

[@iammrbeat]

Yeah, it really is crazy how much I had to censor this video.

[@drugoviic]

thats dumb, they just have terms of service the victim mentality in you lot sucks

[@booradley32]

@@drugoviic The victim in this situation is creators who desire to present history in an unadulterated form, and by extension their audience suffers as well. By demonetizing content that seeks this aim, KZbin directly supports a system which disincentivizes creators to take intellectual risks by limiting their income when they produce content that seeks to shed light on unsavory historical topics.

[@heviwayte]

Hi Mr.Beat, i absolutely love your videos and i wanted to chime in on this one as it is near to me beyond measure. Im a combat veteran in this very war, was in 1st Armored Division HHC and went there from the end of March of 03 and left theater in late July of 04, that was the only tour i did. Although I did what was asked of me and though i will defend my country, the whole purpose of this war in so many ways was to propagate the military industrial complex. Many people made ALOT of money off this conflict while the American people was BLATANTLY lied to and taxpayer funds was completely wasted and/or disappeared.

[@vinnypag]

this video was so great thank you!

[@j.t8352]

A war that we should've never started.

[@iammrbeat]

I agree

[@user-ks8le2jk7f]

Good job Mr Beat! We knew you could do it 🎉

[@iammrbeat]

Thanks!

[@bert4999]

Thank you for what you do Mr. Beat

[@manewland1]

Thank you, good sir. I seem to be about the same age as you (though Nebraska born and raised). I well remember country singer Darryl Worley's song "Have You Forgotten?" getting a lot of radio airplay shortly before the invasion began (and indeed, the lyrics of that song seemed to suggest that the American response to 9/11 and the Iraq War were one and the same conflict).