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  International Edition
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
U.S. troops use new film to scout enemy
A new documentary that focuses on the motivations of Iraqi insurgents opens later this week in the United States, but reviews are already coming in from a surprising source: U.S. troops serving in Iraq.

At a recent screening in Baghdad's Al Faw Palace, American soldiers listened to their enemies talking about why they want them dead.

"It tells us a lot about the culture and how they pretty much feel about us. Well, not the entire Iraqi culture, just the insurgents, and how pretty much their faith is pretty strong," Staff Sgt. Jason Privitera said.

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-- By Catherine Mitchell, CNN Producer
Posted By CNN: 1:02 PM ET
  13 Comments
I still can't see the reasoning behind the insurgents thinking that they have to fight the U.S.. It's not like we are over there trying to take over their country to make it part of ours! We went there to deliver them from a dictatorship and make them free to have a democracy and live without fear and with peace! Don't they see they are just hurting there own self and country here!?

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.
Posted By Cindy : 1:36 PM ET
Ignorance is not bliss; the more our troops know about insurgents and their beliefs, the better off they are, and this film would supply that knowledge. One thing's for sure though, they don't want us there. I would like to see the film myself and view it not with judgment and preconceived notions, but with understanding and an open mind.

Thanks,
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington
Posted By Anonymous : 1:40 PM ET
Isn't it pretty much about putting yourself in the other person's shoes? How would YOU feel if you were treated like they feel they have been treated. I'm thinking that the average American wouldn't appreciate being invaded, cut down and bullied.

The world would be a much better place if everyone was just nicer to one another.
Posted By Anonymous : 1:41 PM ET
This new film was shot in 2003. It's 2007 and I doubt whether it is a gasping eyeopener to our troops that the enemy feels the way they do.
Whether you agree or disagree with us being in Iraq, I'd say it's always good to remember that the enemy in any war, is a human first and soldier second. That goes for both sides.
I wonder if anyone from Iraq is making a film to show the people of Iraq the human side of our troops. Somehow I doubt that.
My thoughts continue to go out to our troops and their families. Thanks for all you do.
Posted By Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif. : 1:47 PM ET
western faith: family, home, prosperity, success

eastern faith: religious, leaders
Posted By joanne : 2:45 PM ET
Good grief. This is surprising? We invaded Iraq without a full understanding of their culture and of Islam. That's what we get for having a "C" student as President. Everything we know about warfare is in The Prince, so I bet there is some chapter that says "know your enemy before you invade." It must be chilling for the troops to see this film and know that they, personally, are the ones the insurgents are trying to expel. God bless our men and women in the armed forces and keep them safe wherever they serve us around the globe.
Posted By Charlotte D, Stockton Ca : 3:02 PM ET
Didn't the government have some indication that there may be this reaction to us coming into Iraq? It is amazing to me that while we certainly needed to do something to neutralize Sadaam Husein, our government seems surprised by the response we have gotten from some groups. Given the fact that some groups in the region are known for fighting for a long period of time, I am surprised/ angry that this was not more carefully thought through.
Posted By Pamina, New Rochelle, NY : 4:01 PM ET
I do understand their motivation, and this may be covered in the documentary at some point, but weren't they subjugated under Saddam's rule? Were they actively involved in 'insurgency' during Saddam's rule?
Posted By Anonymous : 4:37 PM ET
I had to smile when I read the comment from "Anon" that states "the average American wouldn't appreciate being invaded, cut down and bullied"!

Isn't that pretty much what the country to our south has done? At least they haven't hunted down Bush and his cronies, knowing full well they would be put to death.

We have done such a great job convincing the world that out "democracy and Freedom" are the only way to live. Then we persecte those who disagree by warring with them, then we see thousands pour across our borders and wonder why they don't stay in their country.

Almost ridiculous, isn't it?

Annz
Posted By Anonymous : 4:53 PM ET
For all of you who don't get the "insurgent" mentality, go rent the movie "Red Dawn" with Patrick Swayze from the 1980's... We would act the EXACT same way if any country occupied the USA...
Posted By Anonymous : 6:37 PM ET
We invaded Iraq under the premise of finding weapons of mass destruction. There were none.

We changed course and became the liberators. In toppling Saddam Hussein, we also sent at least 2 million Iraqi people seeking refuge in other countries, displaced another 2.5 million, destroyed most of Iraq's infrastructure, set up detention camps, and allowed some private contractors (Blackwater) to protect our diplomats with total disregard of military or Iraqi laws.

On the plus side, we encouraged the people to vote and show us their purple fingers. Little did they know, we were supporting a new, corrupt Maliki government that according to the latest figures have stolen $18 billion of our tax dollars(house oversight committee report of 10-16-07), and used some of it to fund terrorist!

Sadly, the people of Iraq are not benefitting from our continued presence in their country. The only ones who are benefitting are corporations like Hunt Oil and Haliburton.
Posted By Jan from Wood Dale, IL : 7:47 PM ET
I thought the comment made by the Iraqi insurgent who was once a teacher was absurd. He said, "If someone comes and occupies another man's home and takes away his food, money and property, how could he not defend himself?" He further went on to say his new job is to kill Americans! Does this individual not realize that our motive in going into Iraq was not to take away food, money or property from the Iraqi people, but to help them and ensure a better life for them. We went into their country to take out a leader who was harming his own people to eradicate the horrible behavior and mistreatment show by dictator, Saddam Hussein. It is sad that the men and women, who are putting their lives on the line, fighting for the freedom of Iraqi people, are being treated in such an ungrateful manner by certain individuals in Iraq.
Posted By Jessica, Bourbonnais Illinois : 7:50 PM ET
When are we going to learn that they don't want our help. This is their culture, religion their life. We are trying to fight a war and help people that don't want to be helped. We say we are at war because of our security, "do you know how many other countries have terrorist are we going into war with them also?" WAKE UP!!!!!!
Posted By Anonymous : 1:35 PM ET
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