Review of Dirty Wars (2013) by Marvin B — 17 Jan 2014

Dirty Wars - a documentary directed by Richard Rowley. It is based on a book Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield written by investigative-journalist Jeremy Scahill (collaborator with Michael Moore from 90s). The screenplay was written by Jeremy Scahill and David Riker. Jeremy Scahill is the narrator and investigative-journalist in the film. Dirty Wars premiered at Sundance Film Festival - and received award for its cinematography at U.S. Documentary. Dirty Wars is nominated by Academy Award for Best Documentary.

American journalist Jeremy Scahill (reporter on Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan) take us on covert US operations across Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia at the hands of JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). Scahill wearing traditional Pakistani Afghan dress Shalwar (shirt) and Qameez (pajama) arrives in outskirts of Kabull - where JSOC has killed two men and two women both pregnant (at the time of murder) during raid. He brings their story to Washington in vain. Scahill's next spot is Yemen where Barack Obama has made sure to lock up prominent journalists and issued warnings to murder American Muslim preacher Anwar al-Awlaki - we are later taken to Somalia, where the US has mercenary warlords on grounds.

Very intriguing documentary - Scahill shows patience while going on interviews with different people. He shows compassion towards the families of victims. Some critics have burst-open on him accusing him of trying to polish himself as hero of the documentary (I ask these critics isn't it brave of him to walk among the families,relatives and friends of victims, some of who are patient with their story others boiling with revenge).

What can you possibly expect from a man like Barack Obama who gave statement "Israel has right to defend herself" (Nov 2012) - while, maybe he thought countries like Pakistan, Yemen cool with his drones. Families of victims of Barack Obama's drone-attacks, especially in Pakistan, beat their heads over the pieces of flesh of their loved ones; some of who join Pakistani Taliban to seek revenge.

And others who cannot do anything about it, just grab hold of patience and say, "God is seeing America's tyranny, and only God should perish them through these natural disasters i-e storms, wildfire etc.". Are these not the impact-ful words to be heard by the US citizens?...but then again, US citizens cannot do anything about this.