The Nature of War |

Army Specialist Justin Cliburn, a veteran of the Iraq war, remembers an unlikely friendship he formed with two local Baghdadi boys.
Funding provided by:
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
In partnership with POV.
Directed by: The Rauch Brothers
Art Direction: Bill Wray
Producers: Lizzie Jacobs, Maya Millett & Mike Rauch
Animation: Tim Rauch
Audio Produced by: Yasmina Guerda & Nadia Reiman
Supervising Sound Recordist: Daniel Littlewood
Music (Open): Fredrik
Label: The Kora Records
Publisher: House of Hassle
Music (Close): Eluvium
Label: Temporary Residence Ltd.
Publisher: House of Hassle
Please tell us about your StoryCorps viewing experience: bit.ly/2xK3oo9

[@justincliburn]

It was 10 years ago today that I met Ali. I'll never stop hoping he's okay.

[@MikeMakesMultimedia]

+Justin C. Cliburn I cried like a manchild after seeing this video. I am praying my hardest to wish that Ali is growing up in a happy environment. Thank you for sharing your story, sir. And thank you so much for your service.

[@artmationstudios6844]

Jesus will protect him

[@derkaiser420]

+Justin C. Cliburn I just joined the Navy in November I am an E-3 and your story has touched me. Godspeed sir!

[@christiannataylor2735]

I have faith that he is maybe you'll meet him again

[@colderwar]

You'll see him again....in this life or the next one....

[@justincliburn]

Today is the 10th anniversary of Ahmed's death. I'll never forget him, and I want to thank StoryCorps for keeping his memory alive.

[@grantwilliams2650]

Justin C. Cliburn ❤️

[@silvesby]

Justin C. Cliburn thank you so much for your service, sir

[@bruhmoment532]

dont worry :) one day youl see him again, wether you know or recognise him you still see him again some day

[@edanelawr6318]

Justin C. Cliburn I'll never forget your story

[@joshn7232]

Do you feel differently about endless wars from when you first joined until now?

[@justincliburn]

Thank you all for taking the time to listen to Ali and Ahmed's story.

[@ThatGurlXD-ti6zr]

Justin C. Cliburn No problem sir. Thank you so much for supporting our country! I’m 13 and all I can say is thank you. I’m very sorry you had lost a friend.

[@tajgahru9769]

I needed to hear it because I am a soldier myself and I want to serve in the green berets and its good to know The Nature of War

[@chefboythirdy3998]

@@tajgahru9769 green berets damn bro good luck

[@gubadagoober]

@@ThatGurlXD-ti6zr your country

[@ThatGurlXD-ti6zr]

Cobra 1commander I meant America as a whole. Sorry if I offended you.

[@ariannasilva4462]

Those who want war the most are never those who participate in war.

[@doctorwhofan-if7vx]

True

[@65coupestang]

hmm such as donald dump gee I wonder why he is such a wanna be war monger, I believe that is the correct term but not entirely sure or not 😞😦😯..!?!?!?

[@TD04_Trav]

@@65coupestang he's not war hungry lmao. You clearly don't understand politics

[@bishop51807]

@@TD04_Trav And you do? Half of his own supporters don't even understand what the hell comes out of that man's mouth let alone what goes on in D.C.

[@SendarSlayer]

@@bishop51807 And half of the supporters of the other side don't understand anything either. Hillary literally broke the law. Every group has dumb people and every group has extremists. Instead of insulting the other side why not try to find a bridge and work together? He is your president and people ranting and raving are the one's creating a divide. Just find a middle group already.

[@justincliburn]

He'd be in his early 20s now. I hope he's okay, and I hope he remembers our times together. But most of all I hope he realizes I had no choice in the decision to leave. I was just an enlisted man and had no power over where the Army sent me and when. But I looked like I had lots of money power to Ali, and I hope he doesn't think I chose to leave him and never come back. I still remember his full name. I hope one day Baghdad is peaceful enough to try and find him.

[@prind142]

A guy that's out that way offered to look for him a few years back. Still might be willing to do it.

[@JamesKPolk-qe9lm]

I am so sorry for you, you are a great man.

[@justgirls.5188]

Yes, I wish that day too, and i hope you find ali🙏

[@Missvoicebox]

I hope Ali is ok.

[@Nietabs]

@@Missvoicebox same

[@somerandomkid8898]

Man this is sad I almost cried

[@Bungymusic]

this made me cry

[@WoadGrizzly]

"almost"

[@eekmeep]

Almost cried

[@FINN-mg1uo]

Boi shut your sensitive ass up

[@FINN-mg1uo]

Never mind I just cry

[@chugga]

I have to say it, this is one of the best KZbin channels there is. Thank you for doing what you all do to bring these true stories to light.

[@MrPopoman0125]

Whoa chuggaconroy

[@wonderfulone2902]

Holy hell was not expecting to see you here Chugga. But on a serious note this channel really helps you remind us of our humanity and how silly and simple we all are. To you and anyone reading this I wish you well, and ask that you show kindness when you are able.

[@milkiboreasu]

this channel definitely is up there

[@FormerDeathMachine]

I feel the same way about a young man I met named Muhammed who helped get a bunch of kids away from my vehicle during a medical mission back in 2003. He spoke only a few words of English and I Arabic, but he was such a good dude. I've shed tears wondering if he's okay. Thanks for sharing this.

[@dorkmax7073]

Ali is probably a young adult now. Living in Baghdad.....God.....

[@jaschabull2365]

I'd imagine he's probably one of the less likely to, seeing as he had a good relationship with an American soldier and lost a friend to terrorism, so it would (hopefully) appeal to him less.

[@andymatheson82]

that what i thought sounds like a really simple scam get money out of the us soldiers

[@disconnectedt.v2516]

Soldado Imperial if anything he would be in the rebellion fighting them back

[@andymatheson82]

yeah really these kids are smart, they know how to get money out of the soldiers, he’s just playing the long game

[@SemperFine]

The story didn't tell that Ali was the one who asked for the money though

[@cmbsoldja]

So blessed to not be living in a war torn country.....smh. War is hell....

[@paladinboyd1228]

cmbsoldja, War is a necessary evil, sadly it's still is.

[@Landsknecht25]

Paladin Boyd It is mostly unnecessary, but it will happen again and again. Its up to us to stand up against war, or else we may regret it some day.

[@avoonis]

Juli Schäfer it happens because of the human nature. We were surviving because we wnted more more power better technology wich led to wars and other stuff. Humans allways want more thats why communism never worked out because we are not equal we have never been thats why there are people in power that disaded tonattack who want more power and land

[@mohanafy9264]

It's sorry to see how fucked up people are ,ya it's over populated don't reclaim the dessert it's hard just kill the people keep it simple 😐

[@AnarchismIsBetter161]

Bullshit! We started this war for capitalist neoliberalism! Fucking sheeple!

[@marielpare8290]

Justin Cliburn frequently speaks at Anti-War rallies and talks about the effects of US interference in other countries. He also advocates for proper Veteran care, and calls out politicians who fund wars without paying for mental health care or benefits for veterans when they come home. We all have regrets. This experience obviously had a profound effect on him.

[@Justiceprayedfor]

This one was powerful, language barriers are hard to break when building relationships.

[@ToddWhirley]

Nicely done. I just discovered StoryCorps. Thanks for helping us reclaim our humanity.

[@Sideonedummy2]

Todd Whirley straight facts

[@TheUnknownforu]

crying for more than 20 man.... as a missionary I see things like this every year... Thank You!!!

[@m0rkmuzzl]

Justin, If you are seeing this, I thank you for your service. I will remember Ahmed for the rest of my life.

[@m0rkmuzzl]

Also, Justin, I plan to be in the U.S. Army.

[@spikedpigeon5740]

Choose anything but infantry.

[@oz1077]

I would rather be a naval engineer

[@lorrieruff4402]

Reminds me of a story my Father-In-Law told me. About a little boy he saw in Korea. He told me he came across the little boy, about 5 years old, naked crying, starving. Holding on to a cob of corn with no corn on it. So ill with dysentery he had part of his colon prolapse. He had nothing to give the child, no food, meds, a blanket. He cried with the memory of it. He told me, "We where there to help them, But I could do nothing for him. I walked away. All I could think about was he was not going to make it threw the night." Almost angrily at me, " Look I need to not think of that, tell any one, I failed." I told him he did not fail, his efforts over there where not forgotten, or in vain. "You may not saved that little child, but you saved many more." I told him. This story is reminds me of Wilfred Ruff. My husband's Father. I don't know why he shared it with me, he did not tell any of his children of it. I shared it with a few of his grown children. It is with tears I share it with all of you. I miss him, for now this story falls only by word of mouth, and what I have written here for all to read.

[@serge155]

im so sorry to see the comments directed towards you, you have my utmost respect and admiration for your service in trying to solve a horrible situation, and doing so while still holding onto your humanity. you're an amazing human being and i believe we need more people like you in the world.

[@kalebmiller8916]

This the sweetest thing that some our troops have done for these people. That so caring for them that he didn't even know. God bless our Troops

[@Xx-ib6bf]

Thank you, Justin C. Cliburn, for befriending the children and for your kindness. I support you. It is a noble thing to serve your country. As a fellow enlisted soldier, I can say with certainty that we do not get to choose what or where the missions will be. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@obaidabaker714]

hello my name is Obaida and i'm also from northern Baghdad.Nice video,there are too many guys called Ali here but i'm willing to help you if you want.

[@Zaryn9000]

He commented a couple of months ago on this video. Reply to his comment so he sees your message.

[@obaidabaker714]

+Zaryn9000 ok thanx.are you from japan?

[@AnimeLover930]

Like Zaryn9000 said, maybe if you had an age range you can get from him it would narrow down the search

[@venivinivinci]

Obaida Baker boob am sham? shaab? sadre city? adhemia?

[@OfDeadDestruction]

This is a picture of him and Ali. goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-trauma-of-lost-love/

[@CarolinaCastroParra]

How sad... the most touching thing is the bound they created despite the language barrier and how they can be empathic in a deep sad feeling...

[@smoggrog5155]

Jesus this hits you in the feels. once again i shift my perspective on war, not for the first time, but sadly also not for the last time. such is the nature of mankind

[@KadenMarcus]

Rest in peace Ahmed. c.1993-2006 I was born when he died.

[@whoami5960]

Same.

[@RockyHellers]

Who Am I? Who are you?

[@albertdevivies4540]

RockJhonny Who am I ? Who are you ? What is life ?

[@whoami5960]

Just another human living among other humans.

[@whoami5960]

Another human living among other humans.

[@stonez4980]

I used this story from my school, all my classmate's cried that achmed/ackmed died. and thank you for the story and for serving the country

[@lucianamansolelli1121]

I can't even begin to imagine how that was like for you. I haven't really experienced the death of anyone I was that close to. I'm so sorry and I sincerely thank you for what you do. You possess a bravery that I could never hope to match. You are a hero, and you will not be forgotten.

[@farmertyler8087]

Justin’s comments under this video and seeing how much it’s effected him is as heartbreaking as the story itself

[@webby3109]

This is the saddest story I’ve ever heard. I’ll never understand why wars have to be fought, or why nobody seems to care when a casualty happens during war. I know this story is from 4 years ago, but you are a good man.

[@jachin5177]

What a good man to be there for those boys. Even in times of war, there is always a good deed to be done, someone to be uplifted and lives to be changed.

[@captainwolfee_]

Poor Ali, I hope he's okay

[@haloguy-go9zw]

SmolWolfee he died

[@pepeiann]

haloguy 951208 he did?

[@featherfly478]

haloguy 951208 how?

[@thebuttonfactory2306]

Outstanding. Thank you and I'm sorry for your loss. Blood don't make you love somebody. Family is how you feel about another.

[@ButterPecanBeauty]

So emotional, yet so frustrating. MY heart cries when I hear stories like this.

[@LadyLeo15]

You're a hero, and an Angel, especially to those boys you befriended, Thank you for your service.

[@nesquik9579]

Wow, this really makes you think about how un-thankful we can be. Such a sad story.

[@crivyeller9845]

I wished more of these stories were made public. I really felt the emotion of humanity and love here. All I see now is negativity brought on by anti-war groups and people who don't understand the complexity of war/politics. They have no care for our troops and what they have gone through. I am very glad I have found this channel. God bless.

[@MisterOrange1]

Remember watching this years ago. Man time flies.

[@insanityking5008]

War is a terrible thing to go through but war has been here as long as humans has been around and there’s nothing to stop it.

[@tythiel7253]

Justin, I know that feeling sir. I was in Africa and met a little boy and girl who were starving and getting cold since it was cooler in the evening where we were at that time of year. I helped them as long as I we were there (about a week). I often think about them and whether or not if they are okay. I think of them often. Its hard not to cry when I think about them. I wish the world were more simple. This is the world we live in.

[@ShiloDaYeen]

This just hits you when you realize this is real. This is what a little kid had to deal with. This is what so many people overseas have to deal with everyday...

[@monkeymode7529]

My teacher was a marine in operation enduring freedom, he told us stories of a guy who would literally sprint to bring them coffee

[@mannextdoor9146]

Mac N Cheese for bless your teacher

[@SeventhShadow27]

Fuck. Hearing the stories is one thing, but hearing the story from the voice of the man who lived it makes it that much more powerful. All this shit I take for granted; being able to walk, going to school, not having to worry about money, being able to see and hear. It's all so beautiful yet they're such small things you don't normally think about. I can't wait to be a marine one day.

[@ocathain-games]

Remember my cousin telling me how he went back to Iraq when ISIS was on their offensive and he seen one of the kids from a town he was stationed in previously in a Iraqi army uniform fighting against ISIS….lot of these kids probably did join the army or some organization having grown up in that environent

[@firyalart6916]

I can't stop crying, these stories really get to me

[@catzsen]

Fly high Ahmed, And I hope somewhere out there you’re okay, Ali. This story truly brought me to tears and I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else, they don’t deserve it,,

[@MrVariant]

so sad, important to see how we can learn from each other even with a language barrier. Nice to see this side of soldiers

[@ct.2]

We really lived a bad life in iraq lost my best friend He died in a car bomb when we were in high school

[@nume2621]

My condolences.

[@alysonk5853]

So sorry for your loss

[@geist33w]

I'm very sorry for your loss

[@mclarenspeedtail8988]

6 years later, and I'm still crying.

[@nikosilvis4568]

Why can't we all live in peace this is so sad

[@makaniistorm8664]

If you want peace, you have to prepare for war.

[@ciri151]

Because America wants oil. Well that's one of the reasons at least..

[@holdonbabyimcummin5037]

Sir GentleSir yeah and Russians want to spread communism through blood like in Vietnam, Korea, and Iraq. Muslims want to fly planes into buildings, and Germans want to kill anyone who isn't a blonde haired blue eyed European.

[@reneharbig7505]

Hold on baby I'm Cummin all of them. the World dont need them. Bad Gen because of incest.... etc Only Oil...when wenn wipe Out Isis the next Islam Shit will rise up

[@gjergjcamaj5770]

Because Islam wants to kill everyone and thing that's opposes it.

[@cloudydazeeee]

I remember watching this in 7th grade social studies. As a middle schooler, I knew how awful this kind of stuff was, but only to a certain extent. Now I really feel for these people and understand what they have to go through. You really can’t unsee the horrors of war, whether you’re a soldier or a civilian.

[@christopherjorge9117]

War never changes...

[@carolusrex3910]

But men do. through the roads they walk.

[@gerald1495]

Godfrey of Bouillon Fallout new vegas ending

[@tommy2791]

Nice meme...fuckhead.

[@smallbigtoee]

Boomhauer don't be a fucking jackass

[@npc2792]

Gerald. As much as I like FNV, the qoutes from the original fallout games.

[@erixizeo9549]

This is what true friendship,trust, looks like

[@khalidalali186]

A colleague of mine at work, here in Abu Dhabi, is an Iraqi migrant. He finished university, because a group of American GIs he once knew from his neck of the woods, paid for it. I had the privilege of meeting with some of them in-person, when some of them flew all the way here, to attend his wedding back in February 2018. Thanks for sharing. I bet there’s thousands of similar stories. If not more.

[@leahshorter2691]

ITS 2020 AND IM STILL CRYING

[@mylesdegreat]

When he said “Ahmed” bruh that made me cry real hard.

[@thelastvalkyrie1998]

Oh my gosh I remembered this story from a few years back but it wasn’t until now that I realized it was from StoryCorps. This one is so powerful and sad.

[@kyiannakew3394]

I'm in tears right now!!

[@sapph3342]

I come back to this video every time a war breaks out anywhere in the world

[@anuvratverma1255]

It reminds me of the TV series THE LONG ROAD HOME ... It was a bit unpopular few watched it on nat Geo but for me that was heart touching and deserves more attention

[@xcptcronchx]

We as a Country have been blessed to not have to experience this. We don't have war on our soil. I am terribly sorry for your loss and the lack of closure. Thank you for your service.

[@530Paradise]

I'm so sorry you haven't been able to learn what happened to Ali. Hopefully someday you will, and hopefully it will be good news. I first heard this story with the more extended version in the Storycorps Ties that Bind book and the tragedy of it, especially that unique bond you had to support each other through the loss of Ahmed also now being gone is heartbreaking to me. In any case, thank you for comforting him while you had the ability to.

[@originalbucket6931]

Im typing before the actual vid. Ive seen it before, but never noticed the first texts. The majority of the stories abour war take place on my birth year. I feel so bad for those who watch, or lose a loved one in a battle. It shows true bravery in all forms.

[@justincliburn]

That very well may have been the same one. The Traffic Police HQ was very close to MOI and FOB Shield. When we were up that way, we'd always pull in and eat lunch at Shield.

[@robertoumanajr1645]

how could you dislike this this is beautiful

[@Hankardo258]

the world needs more people like you guys :,)

[@quanage4296]

when the kid put soil over the rock and said his best friend's name, i cried like hell

[@Barracuda619x]

Whether or not your trolling poking fun, there's weight behind what you type.

[@Deadorbiter_]

Barracuda619x truth

[@MatthewGarcia-hp1ob]

Wilhelm lol clever, the storage device has weight?

[@ClownHazard]

Barracuda619x you're

[@Anon-fd8ui]

Pussy.

[@nerdyclown6393]

Totoro Yeah you are

[@edwardgazi7564]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your friend is looking down on you with love

[@tim-tamsmith8802]

"And this was the first time i loved someone who wasn't my family member" rip girlfriend

[@kluuunk]

Every single one of these vet ones makes me cry

[@WiseArkAngel]

War is really just a huge sucker punch to everyone involved. Rest in peace, Ahmed.

[@neonthepartycat4990]

I give my prayers and my hope to this video and all those who represented it

[@gayfroginabog8202]

Okay, who's cutting onions?

[@3n379]

CrazyCam16 stfu

[@andreaswill615]

Sorry!

[@azizt6773]

CrazyCam16 ninjas

[@mikewasowski7505]

How you can’t get through all dem layers

[@robertpuselja6612]

Bless this man and those kids

[@PigletCNC]

"If you've enjoyed watching this video..." Yeah it was really enjoying to watch a video in which this army guy tells about how a kid he kind of cared about got blown up and how he still looks back to this other kid and wonders how he's doing. Best time I had all day.

[@x3nn3xy]

That's a wonderful way of keeping such memories alive!👍

[@jacobsult5627]

I'm gonna be in the marines with my friends and for my country but this story is amazing and sad thank you for your service

[@jessiviliulfo24]

Atleast his last few weeks in his life were happier because of the friendship you shared with him and Ali.

[@enokuh]

War is like a scary horror (but unfortunately in reality). It is so sad that so many civilians are killed in every war or armed conflict. Will humanity never learn from its mistakes?

[@SpongyMemeSauce]

in came for the animation style i stayed for the story and afterwards crying

[@kurochi89]

Its sad to think but this story is probably nothing new, nothing strange, nothing out of the ordinary and happens all the time. Hatred consumes all and until its finally over the middle east (and the wold) will never be able to move forward.

[@celrey6604]

I went through this countless times. I was in the second rotation. The kids would not talk to us. I befriended many of them and was rebuked by my buddies...we are just like them. As a Puertorican soldier, Arabic was easy to learn. Aaliyah looked just like me. The pain I felt to see the men working as slaves building for our invasion. The teachers that were left without jobs...We have mand SO MANY mistakes! Thank you for sharing this with me. I have my own Storycorps, and I was honest. What we did was wrong.

[@sonic_of_atlantis]

Kids never should have to live the fear of war or bombings. I just can't wrap my head around this circle of hell that is war.

[@CPorter]

If you like this channel, you understand posterity. If you love this channel, and desire to do like you do, you are an urban anthropologist.

[@balloutiumhd1060]

War is something no one wants but monsters. And those monsters that killed Ahmed will pay one day. He will never be forgotten of the good times he had. 😭😭 I am crying as I write this cause Ahmed seriously never deserved it. Edit: and I mean to all of the other innocent people who have died as well..

[@balloutiumhd1060]

ik

[@gerfonda4646]

Not monters but men.

[@jacobmuench6708]

*I tried to find this for so long, I finally did, I'm crying a lot now.....*

[@bimahesa7824]

*You know what they say* *War is HELL*

[@JoeMama-iq8hy]

Hell spares the innocent

[@charlesbanks7045]

Im so sorry for your lost man i cant imagine my self in that i am also hoping that poor boy is okay war is just awful i hop your doing well❤

[@LivingWithTheGuzmans]

Thanks

[@thetower5265]

What?

[@Nietabs]

What

[@makeria6429]

To the people writing terrible things in the comments section, you know who you are, grow up. Like this is a sad story. Cherish the value of this soldier's kindness and ignore your BS about the people he cared for. People died for real in this war and that should be enough for you to feel sympathy. And if you think you know better then enlist and deal with it for real and experience this pain of love, loss, and memories.

[@jimmybarton476]

Ahmed Ali and Justin if you are hearing this Ahmed was a good person he desvered peace I bet you Ali is thinking about you helping people in baghadad rest in peace Ahmed 1993- 2006

[@GeneralCane]

It's hard to say what he thought of your departure when you don't speak the same language... but I don't doubt that he'll constantly remember the friendly foreigner and the good times you had together. Thank you for the story.

[@mateomiera5560]

the first time I saw this I teared up 😢

[@GalaxyStar-z2c]

Thank you. This video gave stories of people from both sides thank you so much.

[@mateomiera5560]

and I'm sorry for your loss 😔

[@KhoaLe-uc2ny]

The nature of war is that war never changes

[@kirpa5074]

in particular, thanks to you, their country is like this now

[@Cloudkillsgaming]

this is the type of soldier that should be respected much more

[@elijahtucker2683]

God bless the brave men that put there live in danger. ;-;

[@justjosefjosefthegopnik6051]

Elijah Tucker when you put your life for saving famili you are brave. If you put your life for money oil and domination you dont deserve your life. "Some of those who live deserve to be death and some of those dead desserve to live."- Old slavic qota

[@superguyps3]

Elijah Tucker their

[@superguyps3]

Elijah Tucker lives *

[@motherearth730]

superguyps3 don't be that guy

[@motherearth730]

Just Josef Josef The Gopnik No one who fights for there country and believes in there country deserves death

[@jz4163]

Ive been looking for this channel for a year and I finally found it

[@liltech-9]

damn dude these stories are deep

[@Blondie-Actual]

Damn, if every interaction soldiers had with the locals was like this, we might be out of the middle east by now. Thank you sir.