Shock and Awe

In 2006, the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs convenes to discuss future funding for the Veterans Affairs. Retired Army man Adam Green, who lost his legs during his service, testifies about the sacrifices made by 1.4 million men and women in the military.

During the Senate hearing, Adam Green shares his personal story, enlisting at the age of 19 and being sent to Iraq. He recounts the harrowing experience of surviving an IED attack that severed his spine, raising questions about the motives behind the Iraq War.

As journalists probe the claims made by the Bush Administration, they scrutinize the rationale for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, particularly allegations regarding Saddam Hussein's possession of weapons of mass destruction. This scrutiny leads to alarming revelations about misinformation and national security.

The timeline of events intensifies as the NY Twin Towers are demolished in a terrorist attack in September 2001. This attack was initially linked by the State Department to Iraq, despite clear indications pointing towards Al-Qaeda's involvement.

John Walcott, leading the Knight Ridder news service, sends reporters Warren Strobel and Jonathan Landay to investigate claims of Iraq's involvement in various terror attacks. Walcott suspects a larger governmental agenda to instate democracy in the Middle East, fueled by the desire to protect Israel.

Reports surface that the U.S. military is diverting resources away from Afghanistan, allowing Osama Bin Laden to escape across the border into Pakistan. This diversion raises alarms within the journalistic community about the intentions behind the Iraq War.

Walcott meets Joe Galloway, a seasoned war correspondent from the Vietnam War, whose insights reinforce concerns about the administration's claims. Galloway's experience adds depth to the investigation as they explore the implications of the potential invasion.

Walcott publishes a story forecasting the outcome of a U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, proposing that instating Ahmed Chalabi as Iraq's leader may lead to civil strife and fragmentation in the region. This perspective further complicates the narrative surrounding the war.

An analyst from the Pentagon discloses that Donald Rumsfeld is orchestrating a parallel intelligence initiative, gathering flimsy evidence to justify the impending invasion of Iraq. The distractions from genuine sources raise ethical and moral questions within the press.

Walcott and his team grapple with moments of doubt about their reporting as they witness mainstream media siding with the Bush administration. However, they remain committed to seeking the truth amidst the overwhelming pressure to conform.

The team finally unearths credible evidence disproving the claims made by Vice President Dick Cheney regarding weapons of mass destruction. This breakthrough commands action from Walcott and his team to uncover more contrarian evidence opposing the administration's narrative.

Reflecting on his previous encounters with Ahmed Chalabi in the mid-90s, Walcott critically assesses Chalabi’s lack of realistic plans for Iraq. This historical context illustrates the questionable motives and backgrounds of key figures involved in justifying the war.

Walcott's team perseveres despite challenges, striving for integrity in journalism by prioritizing facts over political narratives. Their commitment proves pivotal as they confront the administration's misleading intelligence about Iraq.

Years following the invasion, the ramifications become painfully evident—over 36,000 Americans and over 1 million Iraqis have lost their lives, alongside a staggering $2 trillion expenditure. More so, the absence of any found weapons of mass destruction haunts the narrative.

On February 5, 2004, the Knight Ridder reporters Warren Strobel and Jonathan Landay are honored with the Raymond Clapper Memorial award for their outstanding coverage of the intelligence that raised questions about the justification for the war in Iraq.