Why We Fight
Go see Why We Fight. It’s better than Fahrenheit 9/11 (which I also liked.)
The first half of the film returns repeatedly to Dwight Eisenhower’s farewell address. That speech is well known for coining the phrase “military-industrial complex", but when read in full it’s amazing how relevant it remains today, especially coming from one of the main architects of The Good War.
Indeed, the film talks about Eisenhower’s love of peace so much that it borders on hagiography. I was all set to come home and criticize it for this, but then it takes an abrupt but logical turn to show the other side of Eisenhower’s legacy. Quickly but convincingly, the filmmakers draw the connection from the Eisenhower-endorsed coup in Iran in 1954 to the 1979 revolution, US support for Saddam Hussein, US support for Saudi Arabia, and the rise of al-Qaeda.