War in the Popular Media


Author: Dr. Laina Farhat-Holzman

Date Published: 2007-10-03


 

There’s a war going on in the Middle East, but according to FSM Contributing Editor Dr. Laina Farhat-Holzman, there’s another one going on right under your nose – and it’s being waged on television and the silver screen.

 

War in the Popular Media

By Dr. Laina Farhat-Holzman

This time of year, war is in the air – and television – and cinema. Historically, many wars began at the end of harvest, when there was enough food to sustain a population and there were able bodies available for fighting. Today, harvest has nothing to do with it – but the itch for war seems to be programmed in. World War II began for Europe in September, and the Nazis were trying to win before winter set in. They failed, and the Russian winter eventually devastated them. When the British and Americans finally invaded Normandy, the turning point that indicated the Nazis would lose, our side was certain that the war would be over before winter clothes would be needed. They were wrong; the war lasted one more dreadful year.

The news analysts today are beating the Iraq war to death, saying that it is time to leave the Iraqis to their own devices, no matter the consequences. At the same time, the rumor mill is operating at full steam that the U.S. and/or Israel plan to go to war against Iran – particularly to destroy their nuclear capability. The other grievance against Iran is that they are a major source of nasty explosive devices being used by the Iraqi insurgency.

All of this talk may be whistling in a wind tunnel in the face of a news item that could have amazing ramifications. The Israelis flew over the length of Syria in September and bombed something, rumored to be a North Korean shipment of dirty nuke materials or even the missing biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction slipped out of Iraq the week before we invaded. However, what makes this issue even more peculiar is that nobody is talking – neither Syria nor the Israelis. The best analysts are saying that the very expensive and supposedly state-of-the-art air defense system that Syria bought from the Russians was shut off by the Israelis. My goodness! Iran has the same system! We hear that they are in a panic, as they should be. But how do the Russians feel about this?  It certainly makes them look bad. It’s all very interesting.

Meanwhile, in the art media world, Ken Burns’ much anticipated TV series on World War II is playing, and this should provide us with perspective on the Iraq war as well. Even in this “good war,” we learn how many mistakes were made by our military and civilian leaders that cost thousands of American lives, much like the war we are in. The difference is that nobody heard about these mistakes until a good 50 years later. It is different to fight a war today with a camera pointed at you 24/7 and endless Monday Morning Quarterbacks.

Several war films have also come out – some for the art film audience and some for the popular media.  “In the Valley of Elah” is a detective story about a soldier in Iraq whose disappearance is investigated by his father. According to one critic, “…it is exactly the sort of movie America needs right now – a lacerating, bone-deep inquiry into the war in Iraq, one that struggles to find meaning in the very chaos of that conflict.” Another critic notes that nobody under 50 was in the theatre where he saw the film, and the audience was miniscule.” He may be in the American heartland, but where I live (Santa Cruz, California), this film and another anti-war documentary, “No End In Sight” have enjoyed lively attendance.

But a popular film that I just saw, “The Kingdom,” is playing to full houses everywhere – although I yet to see a positive review from critics. There were complaints that the film was too black and white – the good guys (FBI) vs. the bad guys (Saudi Islamist terrorists). I did not find it so. The script could have been torn from actual events over the past few years: the terror bombing of a housing complex in Riyad where American families lived; suicide bombs filled with bolts, nails, shrapnel, intended for maximum damage to bodies; secondary bombings timed to blow up the rescuers; car bombs that can blast an apartment building in half. All of this is real. In addition was another issue: that of the conflict between the State Department and its ambassadors and consuls versus the FBI and CIA. When the USS Cole was bombed in Yemen, the leading anti-terrorist FBI officer was denied any help by the ambassador, who did not want him mucking around with “her Yemenis,” with whom she had cultivated good relations. This same FBI officer died rescuing people from the World Trade Center on 9/11.

The film dealt with all of these issues in a way that I thought was valid, sensitive, and touching. The Saudi cop who was assigned to babysit the unwanted FBI investigating team developed a real relationship with his colleagues that changed both teams for the better. Both the American team leader and the Saudi policeman had young sons they loved and wanted to protect; but so did the old fanatical terrorist (he had a grandson), whose mind he deliberately inculcated with hate.

”The Kingdom,” along with “Rules of Engagement,” represents realistic assessments of the war of our time. You might want to see all of these films and decide for yourself. One hand should never clap.

 

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FamilySecurityMatters.org  Contributing Editor Dr. Laina Farhat-Holzman is a historian, lecturer, and author.  You may contact her at Lfarhat102@aol.com or www.globalthink.net.  Dr. Holzman also writes for the Pajaronian and the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

 

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of The Family Security Foundation, Inc.

 

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# # #

FamilySecurityMatters.org  Contributing Editor Dr. Laina Farhat-Holzman is a historian, lecturer, and author.  You may contact her at Lfarhat102@aol.com or www.globalthink.net. She also writes for the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

 

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If you are a reporter or producer who is interested in receiving more information about this writer or this article, please email your request to pr@familysecuritymatters.org.

Note -- The opinions expressed in this columfn are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of The Family Security Foundation, Inc.




Click here to support Family Security Matters