Richard Engel (00:01):
20 years ago tonight, the United States invaded Iraq, launching a ferocious bombing campaign, dubbed shock and awe. What’s happening in today’s Iraq is equally shocking.
(00:14)
This was once one of Saddam Hussein’s pleasure palaces, where he would hold birthday parties and events for his sons and daughters. Iraqis were terrified of this place. They weren’t allowed in, of course, and now Iraqis hope that this will become the center of nightlife for the new Iraq.
(00:33)
Saddam would be rolling in his grave if he could see his palace now.
(00:38)
How have things changed?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
A lot of things changed. People who used to live in war now come to Iraq and see the life in Iraq.
Richard Engel (00:49):
A cultural revolution is underway here. [inaudible 00:00:54] is one of a rock’s karate champions empowering a new generation of girls.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
I want to deliver a message to our community, to our society, that girls can do whatever they want.
Richard Engel (01:05):
It’s been a long, hard road to get here with tragic, fatal mistakes. American troops invaded to find weapons of mass destruction that never existed. They stayed for the next eight years to stop a civil war triggered by the invasion. Around 4,600 Americans died here, along with several hundred thousand Iraqis.
(01:28)
In 2006, I went to a Baghdad orphanage and met Moira, Aliah, and Sora. Their parents were executed during the frenzy of religious clashes in the chaos after Saddam’s overthrow. Every day there were more war orphans.
(01:44)
The girls are still very clingy, clearly in need of a lot of affection.
(01:49)
I met Moira again this week. She’s married and has four healthy children, but her life never recovered. “My life didn’t get better. We don’t have a future,” she says. Moira blames Iraq’s rampant corruption, which is leaving many in poverty in a country rich with oil. But Baghdad is undoubtedly safer now. American troops have been replaced by American tourists.
(02:15)
What kind of reception are you getting?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
I must tell you, I feel like a rockstar here. All the women and all the local people want to take pictures with us.
Richard Engel (02:24):
Not long ago, this ancient bazaar was blown up by a suicide bomber. Now tourists can visit, relax, and reconnect with the cradle of civilization cut off from the world by violence for the last two decades. Iraq still faces many political challenges. Saddam Hussein is gone, but the government is now dominated by Iran.