We Are Getting Foreign Policy VERY Wrong | 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? Novara Live broadcasts every weekday from 6PM on YouTube and Twitch. Episodes of Downstream are released Sundays at 3PM on YouTube. __________________________ Support our journalism by buying Novara Media merch: Donate one hour’s wage per month, or whatever you can afford: