Iraq and Afghanistan War Archives - Page 16 of 26

Notes Photo August 20, 2007

The Dean Treatment

I continue to be fascinated how the traditional media plays Edwards for a pin cushion. No other candidate seems such a target for cosmetic analysis, motivational inconsistencies and now, (pejorative) emotional temperature readings.

Notes Photo August 19, 2007

September's Wallpaper

With the Administration's "show progress" deadline fast approaching, Sunday's NYT offered not one, but two high-profile stories pitching improvement propaganda.

Notes Photo August 13, 2007

The Gonzales Black Out

In fact, the only reason I can show you Alberto in the desert dust is because, after scouring, this little media pic showed up ... from Iran.

Notes Photo August 11, 2007

Shadows Of Their Former Selves

Apparently, the British -- following America's lead -- are rejecting the asylum requests of 91 Iraqi interpreters. I'm not sure why this subject is producing such emotive imagery, but it is. The visual poignancy only drives the neglect that much deeper.

Notes Photo August 6, 2007

The Image at the End of the Tunnel

What we see is a thoroughly fragmented Iraq, a world of disconnected moments in space and time; although we clearly see what is there, it is hard to know what it might mean. We have no sense of context outside the vehicle and no basis for response to what...

Notes Photo August 1, 2007

Iraq Beyond The Acronyms

On one hand, it's just about a junk-and-salvage yard. But what opens up -- between these images and the simple compassion of its undertaker -- is the gaping hole between stupid neocon fantasy and a monumental short-changing.

Notes Photo July 30, 2007

Scenes Of Victory In Iraqi

The images of Iraqi celebration following their soccer team’s Asian Cup success look suspiciously similar to the photos following the ‘toppling’ of Saddam’s statue in 2003 - the euphoria concealing the substance of a misguided war and occupation. The problem, as usual, is that the effort is all circus...

Notes Photo July 23, 2007

Our Iraqi Employees In A Snapshot

If you never came across George Packer's article in the New Yorker back in March (Betrayed: The Iraqis who trusted America the most), it's a must read. The piece chronicles the tortuous fate of various Iraqi nationals who gave, then lost everything for their duty inside the Green Zone. ...

Notes Photo July 16, 2007

Iraq Withdrawal Looks Like Sure Road To Ruin

Has the employment of heavy-handed photos recently enhanced White House scare tactics about a post-occupation Iraq? ...And, as a parallel issue, how valid is the automatic assumption that a U.S. presence is keeping Iraq "more stable," and that withdrawal would necessarily make things (even) worse?

Notes Photo July 9, 2007

For The Love Of Baquba

Did you notice the lovely mini-push last week to establish that Iraq was on the upswing?

Notes Photo June 29, 2007

Baquba #2

Maybe the military thinks that taunting the enemy is a fair trade off it it fires up our crusaders? And then, could someone please tell me where the Times is going with this caption: During the operation, Specialist Paul Goodyear wore a headband bearing a passage from Psalm 91:...

Notes Photo June 28, 2007

Baquba #1

Scott Nelson's photos for the NYT this week make the fierce, but largely ambiguous U.S. attack on Baquba seem only that much more so.

Notes Photo June 18, 2007

Can Anybody Remember As Far Back As January?

Why does Gen. David Petraeus (visually) supersede the head-down Secretary of Defense in this shot from Iraq on Saturday? Maybe, because that's the story.

Notes Photo June 14, 2007

Seeing The Slow Vanishing Of Iraq

Wednesday's tragic destruction of the minarets at the already crippled al-Askari mosque in Samarra has dealt the Iraqi government and the U.S. position still another moral and strategic blow. As a metaphor for the progressive nature of how Iraq has been losing its face, its character, its mind --...

Notes Photo May 24, 2007

Quagmire

There is a quinessential image connected to yesterday's NYT article about the search for missing U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

Notes Photo May 21, 2007

Green Zone As Metaphor

Once the goal in Iraq was the security of hearts and minds. Now viability rests on the ability to secure a couple neighborhoods. How do you make the argument, however, when you cannot secure a single place?

Notes Photo May 20, 2007

Seeing Iraq Through The Heat Of Battle, Politics (And, Oh Yeah, A Cover On The Lens Cap!)

The main reason Iraq looks "so kaleidoscopically different," at this point, is because the place is sheer chaos and because (for both practical and political reasons) there are just not enough independent eyes available through which to monitor hell.

Notes Photo May 18, 2007

Exhibit #1 Why The Military Wants To Keep Our Boys Off YouTube