US/NATO Military Interventions in Afghanistan and US Invasion of Iraq

SOCI 339 - Sociology: War and Armed Conflict
Either
Select a couple of newspaper, magazine, or e-zine articles that appear to offer support for either the 2001 US/NATO military intervention in Afghanistan, or the 2003 US invasion of Iraq (the 2nd Gulf War). Possible pro-war journalistic sources may include those of Thomas Friedman (New York Times), Johann Hari (The Independent), the late Christopher Hitchens (Vanity Fair), or Michael Ignatieff (various publications)—among others. Then select a couple of contrary articles that appear to oppose and condemn the same military conflicts outlined in your first selection. Possible anti-war journalistic sources may include those of Robert Fisk (The Independent), John Pilger (The Guardian), Naomi Klein (The Nation, The Globe and Mail, Harper’s Magazine, The Guardian) or Patrick Cockburn (The Guardian).
Compare and contrast these opposing viewpoints paying special attention to some of the following points:
(1) how each writer reveals his/her ideological assumptions
(2) how each writer defines the nature of the problem
(3) how each writer predicts the possible consequences of action or inaction
(4) how each writer interprets the historical background to the conflict
(5) how each writer explains the necessary conditions that need to be met in order to resolve the conflict and end hostilities
(6) how each writer would define “success” or “failure” in the conflict
(7) how each writer characterizes “the enemy”
With your knowledge of the relevant course readings, discuss how you would render a judgment in favor of one or other of these opposing viewpoints?
Or
Analyze a first-person account of an earlier (pre-20thcentury or early 20thcentury) war, or a more recent (mid-late 20th century or 21st century) war. First-person accounts are available either as novels or movies such as The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (American Civil War), or All Quiet On the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (1st World War), or Charles Yale Harrison’s Generals Die in Bed, a gripping and compelling account of the First World War written by an American who fought in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Other possible texts include The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, Fields of Fire by James Webb (Vietnam War), and Das Boot, The Boat, by Lothar-Günther Buchheim (WW2), or as autobiographical texts such as Dispatches by Michael Herr (Vietnam War), or as the corresponding movie Apocalypse Now; Jarhead by Anthony Swofford available as a book or movie (1st Gulf War), or War by Sebastian Junger (Afghanistan War) or as the corresponding movie, Restrepo. You may also use first person “enemy” accounts such as The Sorrow of War by the Vietnamese writer Bao Ninh; A Vietcong Memoir: An Inside Account of the Vietnam War and Its Aftermath by Truong Nhu Tang, et al; Novel Without a Name by Dương Thu Hương; My Life With the Taliban by Abdul Salam Zaeef; or even The Provisional IRA by Tommy McKearney.
With your knowledge of the relevant course readings, write an essay that analyzes your chosen text or movie in terms of the following critical criteria.
Critical Template for Completing a Sociological Analysis of War Books or Movies
Causes: What are the causes of the war, according to each of the writers?
Histor: What is the relevant historical background to the war, according to each of the writers?
Organization: What are the important aspects of social organization mentioned in these books—such as national mobilization of the population, military rank distinctions, primary battle group relations, front-line versus rear echelon positions, etc.
Personal Experience: What are the most powerful personal experiences of war mentioned by each writer—such as combat stress and fatigue, fear, boredom, difficulties of civilian readjustment, comradeship, etc.
Tacit Theories: What kind of tacit (or taken-for-granted) theories about “human nature,” about the war, the enemy, civilians back home, women, about “life,” or any other important influences can be discerned from the speech or from the actions of individuals in the book or movie.
Signification: How are different players in the set of wartime social relations socially constructed and signified (made meaningful) in these books—such as glorification of heroism, dehumanization of the enemy, attitudes towards own officers, towards the military brass and politicians, towards family members, etc.
Technology: What kinds of technology and military hardware is mentioned in battle scenarios—such as weaponry, fighter planes, helicopters, communications equipment, etc.
Ideology
How does this book (movie) portray the influence of official ideology in wartime—among civilians, politicians, front-line troops, the media, the churches, etc.
Casualties: What reference is made to the casualties of war—both civilian and military; both physical and psychological?