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You getting back is a bigger miracle than the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey gold

medal.

Divine intervention.

Yeah, well, now I got to thank God, and I hate owing him.

If Muqtada al-Sadr is such a threat, then why isn't he on agency's radar? I

mean, he is. Angela teed him up months ago. It's just we haven't been paying

attention. Samir, you got some coffee there? Yeah. It's going to be a late

night. Hey, look at this. A report comparing Muqtada to Hassan Nasrallah.

He's Bala's leader?

Yeah, but this concludes that he's not a threat.

Their assessment was that he lacks the necessary communication and leadership

skills. Meaning?

Well, they think he's a thuggish killer who spends his time playing video games.

That's not the guy I saw on the job.

Let me see that.

Army followers.

This is five months old. Written by McNulty.

This guy's a junior analyst, doesn't know shit. It's garbage.

This is interesting.

saw that his son, Mohammed, saw that he was a big player.

Saddam had him arrested and executed in 1999.

According to this, the riots that were caused by his death was the biggest

threat to Saddam's rule since the Gulf War. And this gets juicier. Look, Grand

Ayatollah Bakr al-Sadr, that's Muqtada's father-in-law, he openly supported

Iranian revolution.

Saddam arrested and tortured Bakr.

Bakr, right? Bakr and his sister.

just when he came into power in 1980.

Yeah, I remember this.

Yeah, the story is that Saddam had an iron nail hammered into the forehead of

al-Sadr, and then they burned the body.

And there's several accounts saying Saddam did it himself.

He killed both of Muqtada's fathers, his birth father and his father-in-law. So

he's using the memory of his father and his father-in-law to raise his mighty

army.

Good old revenge.

Family patriarchy, so that makes sense.

Old sins have got long shadows.

And this gives him the motive.

It gives him a network and the authority to lead it.

So then what? Is Saddam trying to warn us not to make the same mistake he did?

Or does he know that we won't listen and wants to sit back and be right while we

get what's coming to us?

He's trying to warn us not to make the same mistake that he did. Can you get

this?

How that developed, I want Stillwell to see this.

I still don't trust the devil.

Okay. See you soon. Yeah.

Seeing Al-Sadr with his Mahdi army reshaping Najaf made it clear that he's

not chasing paradise.

He's chasing power.

With Saddam's fall, this is al-Sadr's chance to build a Shia state of their

own, which conveniently aligns with Iran's ambitions.

Ayatollah Khomeini has been dreaming of this since 1979.

Ironic that after his eight-year war with Iraq, hundreds of thousands of dead

and cities destroyed, he's got us to thank for getting rid of Saddam.

Blood lust?

What? The link between sex and violence.

Natural response to trauma.

Nothing to feel guilty about.

I have so much to feel guilty about.

Charles... When did you start dieting? Rebecca, I'm just not hungry. That's

all. You've been moping around for days.

You don't have to keep everything locked inside.

Sometimes it's good to let it out. Rebecca, what is the point of burdening

civilians with combat horror stories? It's not a burden. It's a relief.

You know, they call us the greatest generation, but I think...

We're the silent generation.

You missed the chance with Charlie. I don't want you to make the same mistake

with John.

You fought in three wars. You don't retire a full-bird colonel without a

story. Talk.

In 1943, I was 17, and I enlisted in the Army.

I lied about my age.

They knew I was lying.

And then I find myself at Normandy, the D-Day invasion.

I wake up on this big battle cruiser off the coast of France, rig myself up with

all my equipment and ammunition, probably 40 pounds or more, I don't

know.

Go over the side of the boat, and I go down the Jacob's Ladder, and I get in

the landing craft.

See and hear the German guns firing from up there on the cliffs above the beach.

So nervous.

Scared to death.

The German machine guns pinging off the front of the steel doors on the landing

craft. And then we get a little bit closer to that, and we're almost there.

I see the dead, some bloated bodies floating.

There's guys hung up on barbed wire and those barriers the Germans had built.

And some poor bastards, they even jumped off the boat too early and they sunk

because of all the equipment they were wearing. They never had a chance.

We actually make it to the beach.

We find our way about halfway up and then we're pinned down.

I don't know how long that was.

But I look, and I see this officer crawling towards me, and he says, Hey,

Sergeant. Sir.

Every single officer in your battalion is dead.

You are now in command of 2nd Platoon.

Sir. I'm not an officer. I'm an NCO, a sergeant. I work for a living. No.

You are a first lieutenant now.

Battlefield Commission.

And that's how I became an officer.

I got your pictures developed.

It's a decal solder.

Come on.

Murdered. Yes, we know. Why?

I ordered a special inquiry.

Muhabarat reported this was fighting between Shia clerics.

Zostani? And Ertugrul Zostani? I tell you, I killed him.

Zostani is being considered for the Nobel Peace Prize.

So was Hitler.

But you met with Sadiq al-Sadr immediately after the Gulf War ended.

Why?

Sadr came to see me about his son.

Muqtada? No.

His brother, Mustafa.

After Gulf War, Mustafa supported Iranian insurgents in Najaf. Right, the

Shia uprising, right?

Mm-hmm. His father denied this and begged me for my forgiveness and his

son's life.

I granted him both.

So Sadiq al-Sadr became your ally?

Sadr condemned Shia clerics to save his son. I reward his loyalty.

I made him chief of, um...

I made him chief of religious endowments. He made...

But then he abused that position and started to speak against you, right?

Do you know how he got killed?

Did you kill him?

Ask your Jack of Diamonds if you can find him.

Pass me those cards, please.

Thank you.

Those Jacobinians.

Tahir Jalil Habush. He's ahead of intelligence.

A month before he died, did you think he had some kind of reminiscence that he

was going to get killed?

Maybe a symbol. He was ready to become a martyr.

Be careful who you martyr.

Iraqis never forget.

Okay, so he killed Sadr's father because of his religious connections.

Your first president, Washington, he separate church and state.

It's called the establishment clause.

I do same. I make same law.

You know, in Iraq, no one knows if Saddam is Sunni or Shia. Come on.

I mean, the whole thing was based on a spoil system, relying on the Sunni

tribes. These men were punished for breaking the law. You do not mix

religious turban with politics.

Are you sure Johnny wants to hear all this?

I'm sure.

Can I get you a scotch? You better.

Korea. What I remember about Korea, visibility was just terrible.

We just couldn't see anything. So you had to depend on listening.

Listening to where to duck, where to hide, where to look.

Then we pushed the communist Chinese army all the way back to the Yalu River,

which was the border with China.

Have a drink.

So there we are sitting on this ridge line and looking at them.

It was the cold winters.

And I remember my favorite Sergeant Major, his feet got frozen,

and he had no nerve endings anymore on the bottom of his feet.

Oh, God.

One night, I hear bugles playing over loudspeakers.

It was the eeriest, weirdest thing.

It was spooky.

Why didn't they just attack?

You know, surprise attack?

Oh no.

They wanted us to know they were coming.

The human wave of screaming Chinese.

We fought them with everything we had.

Rifles, bayonets.

Mortars, machine guns, bazookas, K-Bar knives, our hands, even. It's hard to

imagine. So we begin a huge fighting retreat over past the famous frozen

Chozon Reservoir.

John is gonna love to hear this.

He sent me to Najaf to see Muqtada al-Sadr.

As you can see, it's clear.

He's taking his father's place.

His father was your ally.

Do you think we could make Muqtada al-Sadr our ally?

It would change the game.

We could stabilize Iraq.

Americans are black and white, friend or enemy.

In Iraq, it is never simple.

Just think, once, even CIA and Saddam

were friends.

Not you.

Then close the door.

Look, as a husband and a father, sure, I'm used to being ignored.

It's par for the course.

But as your boss, it makes me look ridiculous.

I understand, sir.

And, you know, I came back.

I knew you'd be back, though I expected in a body bag, John.

Polly had nothing to do with this. This is all on me.

Polly used her authorization to defy my orders. I took her pass. You're correct.

But right now, you gotta listen to what we have to say.

Look, she's right. If you need to fire me, go ahead. But you gotta hear us out.

Saddam's trying to help us.

Why? So... So Saddam knows he f***ed when he killed Sadiq

al-Sadr, the former Shia leader.

He made him a martyr. It caused a whole Shia uprising that really threatened

Saddam's regime.

And we think that he's trying to warn us from doing the same mistake with the

son, Muqtada al-Sadr, who's now the de facto Shia leader in Iraq. Pure

speculation, John. Sir, that's what you pay us to do.

We've been focusing too much on just Saddam, and we've been ignoring all the

other leaders that are coming up in his wake.

When we removed Saddam, we created a vacuum, and someone's gonna fill it.

And the White House, the CPA, the military, everyone's just focused on the

present. The point is, we need to be cultivating future leaders.

sympathetic and loyal to us. That's what the Ayatollah is doing. He knows that if

he controls the new Iraqi leader, Iran will become the dominant force in the

Middle East.

Yeah.

Thoughts? Well, first, we establish a fusion cell between CPA and military

command regarding al-Sadr.

It's a prudent move.

You know, I was there. Yeah, I don't need reminding.

Okay. Okay, I'll consider it.

Sorry. But I'm downgrading your security clearance. Hand me your pass.

Disobey me again, you'll be pulling archive duty at Langley.

We have a situation.

Turn on the TV, please.

It's been a deadly day in Iraq. Four U.S. civilians were killed in an ambush.

Their burned and mangled bodies... within drag through the streets of

Fallujah. And in another instance, five American soldiers were killed. We get

more on these latest attacks.

Fox's Steve Santana, he's live in Baghdad right now.

Steve, do we know who these people were that attacked the civilians, who I

believe were American engineers?

Yeah, these were American contractors working for a security company based in

North Carolina. The four men who were the victims in this attack, as to who

carried out the attack, it's anybody's guess, but there was a crowd in the

city.

Listen, I tried, but... Why haven't you called, John?

It's been days.

They're burning civilians.

How do I know you're okay?

I'm sorry, honey, okay?

Keep your sorries.

I don't know what you've been doing, but I am fed up with you lying to me.

I'm not lying, okay? You have to understand what I'm going through here,

okay? You promised you would stay in touch.

I know I did, but... It's... What are you still doing there? You caught Saddam

and you swore you'd be home for Christmas.

I dread turning on the news. I'm afraid I'll see you hanging on TV.

Jerry is dead. I went to his funeral yesterday.

I can't take it anymore.

Baby, listen.

The FBI is bringing in a replacement soon.

At least you picked a beautiful spot to salt.

It's a pretty disgusting beer. Is that going on?

Yeah. You want another one? I'm buying.

Cheer up, man.

You're the one who gets to go home.

Yeah. Yeah?

Let's go.

What are you still doing here, man?

I like the shawarma.

Yeah.

Especially on the way out.

I, uh... I need to see him hang.

Here's the thing.

No WMD means the whole justification for the war is bullshit.

So Bush needs another trophy on his wall.

Hanging Saddam?

That's his only chance to control the narrative. The battle's in D.C.

Convincing the Warhawks to have his resource, not our relic. Ugh, holidays.

And we have to keep playing along with this political charade.

How is Iraq so f***ing cold?

If I lose again, I'm out of here. It's getting late.

Well, that was easy.

Let's play some pool. Fine.

Hey, Amira.

Can you believe this guy? Look at him. What's wrong with your face?

I think you need a beer.

Let me get you something. Thanks, Amira.

Tiny, 20 bucks says you missed.

What?

Easy money walks in.

This very shot? Yeah, yeah, this shot. 20 bucks. Yeah, 20 bucks and we get the

table. Deal?

Hold on. Put the money on the table.

And don't miss.

Save your money, man.

Okay, let's go.

It's gonna be an easy 20 bucks.

Yo!

Everyone.

Zandra, come here.

James. He likes the crowd. Tiny.

He's just about to choke. 20 bucks.

All right?

Enjoy the show.

Enjoy the show.

Get the shot. Deal.

Put your hand closer so you hit the ball.

On the easiest setup. That was horrible. Hey, man. Come here. Come here.

There he goes. Keep your money. Just keep your money. No, keep it. I just

wanted to pay you.

I'm sorry.

Thank you. Thank you.

You see it?

Oh, thank you.

How'd you know?

That's my wife.

Well, you know, some people just can't handle the pressure.

First time I met you, I thought, how did I get stuck with this guy who can't even

hold his gun?

But when the shooting started, you didn't run.

I did shit myself, though.

And you caught the guy.

You.

Your break.

John Nixon.

Yeah.

Nigel Holmes.

Hey. Bureau sent me to take your place.

Right, right.

This is Samir. He'll be your translator.

No need.

Oh,

wow.

French, too, huh?

So, you got any pointers?

On the French? Yeah, I thought it was a little... It sounded...

Insights you think will help It's gonna be tough building trust Better if you

were able to establish some kind of rapport.

I'm not interested in being his friend Bureau's concern is exclusively his

links with domestic terrorism 9-11 Al Qaeda and the plot to assassinate Bush's

daughters In retaliation for

the deaths of Uday and Hussein An agency investigated that claim. It's total

horseshit. Yes, well, it's my understanding there's credible evidence.

And if so, I intend to get the president what he wants.

Wow.

It seems like they got the right guy for the job.

Welcome to the Green Zone.

Time to go.

Who is he?

Your

friend's

Arabic is shit.

Get him out of there, sir.

You interrupt my breakfast?

I am bored.

I do not have time for boredom. My

name

is Saddam Hussein Al-Majeed Al-Takriti. President of Iraq.

Who are you?

Accountant?

Hairdresser? I'm your lifeline.

The Coalition Provisional Authority sent me here to help you.

I need you to get out and get your people out. No, officer, you cannot come

in here. We don't recognize your authority here.

This is not a discussion.

Clear your people out of here now for their own safety. You can't do this.

This is freedom of speech.

This is an order. Get your workers out now.

But... We're peaceful, okay?

We're peaceful. We're peaceful.

Take a look at this.

Well, how's that?

It's al-Sadr's newspaper.

Yeah, and they just compared Bremer to Saddam. I mean, he could gain 40 pounds

and grow a mustache.

Ha ha. The CPA is interpreting this as a call to violence against Americans.

Richard, I'm telling you.

We have to rebuild the bridge with these people, not blow it up. It's too late

for that. The CPA's already decided on a response.

Bremer's. Al-Sadr's paper's dead.

They're shutting it down?

The army's there as we speak.

Burn the papers! Burn them all!

perfectly with the freedom of the press thing we've been preaching.

Bremer doesn't give a shit. He's exercising his civil authority.

Let's utilize the fusion cell as a... There isn't gonna be a damn fusion cell.

Okay? What do you mean? It's not gonna happen. We just had a conversation about

it. Yeah.

It is what it is.

We will be free or we will be martyred.

He's talking in circles.

It's a waste of your time, sir.

If you'd like to file a complaint.

You know when I know you invade my country?

Saddam, I'm here to discuss your weapons program.

When Blair visit America, I know what's going to happen. With international

hate against Iraq, aggression was coming.

Worse than 1991.

Saddam,

Hey, Kim, I need this report done and sent to D.C. Stevens.

Make sure I'm updated.

Sir!

What is it?

It's the Jeff.

Ants. You know ants have no lungs or heart.

Yes, this is you.

Like one ant of thousands running around on a hill.

Thank you.

No, no.

Not ant.

Ants serve purpose.

Are your guys no help?

He's getting devoured.

Not my guy. He was assigned by DC.

If you'll permit me, Admiral.

I do have a suggestion.

Can I help you?

Shutting down that newspaper's a big mistake.

The CPA is trying to establish a price for the anti-race propaganda, John.

Yeah, but they're punishing the wrong people. The violence spreads from the

Sunny Triangle to the Shia population.

It's going to start a civil war.

You got to convince Stilwell.

That's easy for you to say. You're out of here. Nixon, Stilwell's looking for

you. Yeah?

I was about to get on my flight home, sir. What do you need?

Your flight can wait. Sorry?

Is this about Najaf?

What we're doing in Najaf is very foolish, sir. The Mahdi army has zero

links to those backwater deaths.

Yeah, it's Al-Qaeda. Maybe Zarqawi.

And Al-Qaeda wants to kill Shia almost as much as it wants to kill Americans.

Yeah, their goal is to turn an insurgency into a civil war. This could

be the opportunity to make al-Sadr an ally. Shut up.

That's not why I called you in here.

So why am I missing my flight?

Admiral Kimball, I'd like you to meet agents John Nixon and Polly Stevens.

Admiral, sir. It's an honor.

It's good to meet you, John.

Polly.

Forgive me, Admiral. I was under the impression this was a strictly

interagency matter. I wasn't aware of the military. It was playing a role. We

don't. Not in the handoff. Okay. The situation on the ground is deteriorating

rapidly. We're well aware.

Winthrop says that you're the man to help us out.

Well... We need you at Biff now.

Sir, it's almost evening prayers.

He won't talk to anyone after evening prayers.

Then we'll try in the morning.

This calls on all Iraqi insurgents to lay down their arms.

We need Saddam to sign it.

Sir, I'm not sure what you're expecting from me.

John, you've built the social capital. The trust to get his name on that paper.

And that paper could end this war.

Admiral, I've studied Saddam for almost a decade. I don't want to disappoint

you, but...

There's no way you're getting sent out to sign this.

You might...

Hello?

Hey, Dad, listen, I need your help. I'm stuck here for a couple more days.

Huh? Please tell Bex I got to... Oh, God, she's not going to be happy about

this.

Listen, you got to call me, Dad.

Tell her the flight's delayed or...

I mean, you come up with something. You're good at this stuff.

Look, she's gonna rip my head off, you know.

Well, here, I will cover your ass for this, okay?

Lying to the wife is my forte now.

Yeah, I know.

Fine.

Was that John?

What? Was that John?

Yeah.

Why are we waiting?

Admiral's run on Admiral's time. I should be in there wearing him down.

Admiral, what exactly is going on here? Stand down, Holmes.

I need to try a different tact.

You're back.

You miss me already?

At ease.

Leave us. Yes, sir.

I will not answer same questions.

My replacement has the transcript, so he'll continue from where we left off.

Nixon didn't break him. That's the problem. He still thinks he's in charge.

In many ways, he is.

It's not FBI's party yet.

This will be our final meeting.

But there's an opportunity here to move forward together.

Opportunity? Opportunity between enemies?

Friend and enemy in Iraq, it's never simple.

This is Admiral Kimball, the commander of Joint Special Forces.

I know.

I've come here today to speak to you as one senior military commander to

another. We've suffered a great deal of bloodshed.

Thousands of coalition casualties.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis.

You alone have the power to end the violence.

It is our hope to restore the peace.

My dignity won't allow me to sign this.

It's a question of legacy.

Mine?

Or yours?

Do you want to be...

Napoleon or Mussolini?

Mussolini fought the Allies till the bitter end, until his own starving

people executed him. And history remembers him as a villain, a fool,

a coward.

Whereas Napoleon, he knew he'd lost this war after Waterloo, and he wrote to the

British crown and sued for peace.

History remembers him as an empire builder, a hero.

Monuments don't stand in Paris.

How do you want to be remembered?

You do not understand Iraq or Saddam Hussein.

You disappoint me.

These men from the West, their story is not my story.

But Saddam, when you sent me to Najaf,

You wanted me to learn from the mistakes of the past, right? Speak to me no more

of history, John Nixon. We're speaking about the future.

The future is in Allah's hands.

Allah has given you the power to help your people.

I see a war that will never end.

An ocean of blood.

will consume generation after generation.

10, 20 years from now,

forever, America will regret what they

have done.

Whether my people love me or hate

me,

I am their president!

When you crossed Tigris as occupier and took me

by force, you humiliated them.

They will never stop fighting you.

You want to end bloodshed?

Leave!

You lose nothing by leaving.

If we stop fighting, we lose everything!

Is that how they're gonna execute you if you don't sign that?

That was our first mistake.

Thinking he had a conscience.

They will execute me anyway.

My choice is not to die or to live.

It is to die with honor or without.