Dexter Filkins, the NYT's Baghdad correspondent of 2003-2006 and author of the forthcoming book The Forever War answers questions at Baghdad Bureau, the blog of the Times’ … Baghdad bureau. Naturally the purpose of the Q and A is to promote his book, and he certainly makes a few comments to that effect, but generally his reponses are refreshingly humble and candid. An excerpt:
Q: Aside from the obvious personal changes you've gone through, have your personal politics changed because of your time in Iraq?
‚ Posted by Publius
A: Dear Publius. (Three cheers for the Federalist Papers!) That's a very good question. I think I have become far less politically minded the longer I have spent here. What I mean by that is, I've been overwhelmed by the reality of it ‚ the death and the chaos and the suffering. When I go back to the United States and listen to the people argue about this place ‚ who was right and who was wrong ‚ I often find their arguments incomprehensible, from whatever side they are coming from.
Expressing confusion, particularly on political issues (and particularly when you are a politician – an overrepresented group on Iraq commentary), is somewhat unfashionable, and hearing Filkins’ willingness to admit that he really is confused by the situation in Iraq makes me more inclined to trust his reporting and perhaps even to read his book. His home newspaper ran an article adapted from the book this past week if you are interested in a preview. (Release date 9/16)
n.b. there is also a Part II
