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The Iraqi Council of Representatives officially installed a new cabinet under Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on May 14, just days before a severe sandstorm paralyzed Baghdad and forced regional diplomatic responses to drone activity.

While the current political transition unfolds, the broader legacy of Iraq remains a polarized topic in the podcast world. On The Joe Rogan Experience, Gad Saad argued that while the U.S. had "miscalculations" regarding democracy, one shouldn't ignore the "personal agency of the actors" on the ground. Meanwhile, Joe Rogan wondered aloud if the region might be more stable if countries were "run like Saudi Arabia or run like the United Arab Emirates."

The discourse frequently pivots to the success—or failure—of democratic experiments. On The Diary Of A CEO, Anne Applebaum defended the outcome, stating, "They wanted to make Iraq into a democracy, okay? That, you know, which by the way, it is now." This stands in sharp contrast to Pod Save America, where Jon Lovett pushed back on the idea that post-intervention stability was ever achieved, calling the narrative that "all's well that ends well" a bit much.

Where it's discussed

#2497 - Gad Saad

The Joe Rogan Experience

Gad Saadneutralfrom “US Foreign Policy and the Iraq War”

The site of the war and the country where the US attempted to create a democracy.

“In an ideal world, I could live with complete dignity and, and, you know, liberty and so on. The Americans, with all of their miscalculations, maybe naively thought that we'll come in, and then kumbaya, we will create a new democracy in Iraq. They completely m…”

Joe Roganneutralfrom “Geopolitical Intervention and Regional Stability”

The site of American intervention that led to significant suffering and the rise of ISIS.

“So if that didn't take place, what would I- Iran and Iraq look like right now?”

Joe Roganneutralfrom “Modernity and Reform in the Middle East”

Mentioned as an example of a country that could benefit from a more peaceful, modern governance model.

“... of modernity across the entire country? Like, imagine if Iraq, Iran, all these countries were run like Saudi Arabia or run like the United Arab Emirates. You would have a, a much more peaceful environment, wouldn't you?”

Pulitzer Prize Historian: You Won't Notice Until It's Too Late!

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Anne Applebaumneutralfrom “Why Trump’s Ratings Are Falling”

Mentioned as a country that underwent a long and bloody transition to democracy.

“They wanted to make Iraq into a democracy, okay? That, you know, which by the way, it is now, but it's, it was, it was a long bloody pathway. Trump doesn't even think like that. He thinks, "My idea is to do some deal with one of the dictators and, and move on.…”

AOC vs. Bezos

Pod Save America

Jon Lovettnegativefrom “Geopolitical Analysis of the Iran Conflict”

Discussed as a historical example of US military intervention and failed stability.

“That was my big no too. Like, I wanna build the biggest tent possible, but, um, his idea that Iraq was mitigated by, like, a strategic change, and then all's well that ends well because, like, Saddam's not there now, I, yeah, that was a little much for me.”

The Empathy Gym

Hidden Brain

Shankar Vedantamneutralfrom “The Empathy Gym: Performance Art and Psychological Perspectives”

The birthplace of Wafaa Bilal and a conflict zone where his family resides.

“Wafaa was born and raised in Iraq. He came to the US in the early '90s.”

Puff Puff Paranoia w/ Duncan Trussell | Your Mom's House Ep. 859

Your Mom's House with Christina P. and Tom Segura

Duncan Trussellneutralfrom “The Stargate of Human Birth”

Mentioned in the context of the Persian Gulf War occurring around the time Basic Instinct was released.

“I believe we were fucking with Iraq.”