Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

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INTERVIEW: Mastermind of Operation Iraqi Freedom Col. Kevin Benson joins us in a candid talk

Welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History podcast! In this special episode, we are joined by a very distinguished guest, Colonel Kevin Benson, a retired and highly decorated US Army veteran who played a pivotal role in making decisions during the Iraq War.

Join us as we delve into the causes and outcomes of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the extensive planning involved, and the concept of 'catastrophic success.' Discover the strategic decisions and meticulous preparations from someone who was at the helm of one of the most significant military campaigns of our time. Don't miss this rare opportunity to gain an insider's perspective on warfare and history!

00:00 Introduction to the Why Wars Happen History Podcast

00:45 Meet Colonel Kevin Benson

01:30 Operation Iraqi Freedom Overview

04:52 Challenges and Planning of the Iraq War

08:11 Historical Context and Naming of Operations

09:31 Colonel Benson's Military Experience

17:52 Impact of 9/11 on Military Operations

20:28 Logistics and Planning Complexities

27:19 Introduction to Snowflakes

30:35 Challenges in Planning and Execution

31:50 War Gaming and Tactical Adjustments

41:13 Exit Strategy and Post-War Planning

44:07 Catastrophic Success and Logistical Challenges

49:52 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

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