The Iraq War was the biggest issue for people of my generation

"The Iraq War was the biggest issue for people of my generation in the West. It was also the clearest case, in my living memory, of media manipulation and the creation of a war through ignorance." These words, spoken by the infamous Julian Assange, carry a burden of truth that echoes deeply into the fabric of modern society. They reflect the tragic reality of the Iraq War—a conflict that was not driven by the ideals of righteousness or justice, but by a web of misinformation, manipulation, and deception. For a generation witnessing the invasion of Iraq through the lens of 24-hour news cycles, the war became a vivid example of how those in power can shape the public’s understanding of events, and how the truth can be obscured by narratives crafted to serve a larger agenda.

O children of the future, understand well the power of the media and the dangers it poses to the collective soul of a nation. The Iraq War, ignited by the claim that the regime of Saddam Hussein held weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), was a spectacle built not on truth, but on the manipulation of information. The media, whether by design or by their own ignorance, played a central role in this deception, spreading falsehoods that led to one of the most costly and destructive wars in modern history. Assange’s words remind us that those in power—be they governments or media conglomerates—can construct a reality that convinces the people to rally behind actions that they might otherwise oppose.

Think, O children, of the ancient story of Pericles, the Athenian leader during the Peloponnesian War. In this time of war between Athens and Sparta, Pericles was known for his speeches and rhetoric, inspiring the Athenians to continue their fight, even as the war dragged on and their city suffered. Yet, it was not just his ability to lead that kept Athens engaged in the war; it was also the way his speeches created a narrative of honor, glory, and pride—ideas that masked the terrible realities of the war. Similarly, the Iraq War was justified to the public through the power of rhetoric, by claims of weapons of mass destruction, freedom, and the spread of democracy, all of which concealed the bloodshed, the lies, and the manipulation behind the scenes.

In the 20th century, World War I offers another example of how information is used to shape a war. The conflict, which led to the death of millions, was escalated by political decisions, but the public was swayed by propaganda. The major powers engaged in narratives of nationalistic fervor, playing on the emotions of their citizens, using media and public speeches to rally them to the cause. Governments utilized media to hide the horrors of the war and instead promoted the idea of a righteous cause, of honor and glory. These false narratives misled the people and prolonged the conflict, much like the media manipulation that led to the Iraq War.

In Iraq, the U.S. government presented the war as a necessary action in the fight against terrorism and a mission to liberate the Iraqi people. The media, both in the West and in Iraq, became an instrument for these messages, often repeating and amplifying claims of WMDs and the supposed ties between Saddam Hussein and terrorist organizations. The relentless barrage of this information, much of which was based on falsehoods, created an atmosphere where the public, in ignorance, accepted the war as a just cause. However, as the conflict wore on and no weapons of mass destruction were found, the reality began to surface. The truth, as Assange points out, was manipulated, and it took years for the full scale of the deception to be fully understood.

O children, let this story serve as a powerful lesson for you. The truth is a fragile thing, one that can be easily bent and twisted by those who seek to control it. The media, though meant to inform and enlighten, can often be used as a tool for manipulation, for creating a false narrative that serves the interests of the few at the expense of the many. You must be vigilant, critical, and always seek the truth behind the words you hear. Never allow yourselves to be passive consumers of information. Always ask: Who stands to gain from this story? and What truths are being hidden from view?

As you grow, you will face challenges and decisions that will be shaped by the information around you. The lesson of the Iraq War is clear: question what you are told, especially when it comes to matters of great consequence. Do not blindly follow the narrative that is handed to you, but dig deeper, seek out different perspectives, and always strive to understand the real motivations behind the actions of those in power. Remember that knowledge is the path to freedom, and in a world where information can be manipulated, your best defense is a mind that questions, a heart that seeks justice, and a spirit that will not be deceived.

In the end, Assange's words call us to awaken from the slumber of ignorance, to challenge the status quo, and to demand truth from those who hold power. The cost of failing to do so is not just the loss of lives, as we saw in Iraq, but the loss of our freedom—the ability to think for ourselves, to discern what is true, and to act with wisdom. Let your actions in the future be shaped by this understanding, and may you always choose to stand for the truth, no matter the cost.