Thomas P.M. Barnett

■"On Iraqi TV, a Welcome Take on Reality: Shows Rooted in Everyday Life Provide an Escape From War," by Jackie Spinner, Washington Post, 10 September 2004, p. A1.

ìLabor and Materialsî is the new big hit show on Iraqi TV. Itís a reality TV show that follows the efforts of ordinary citizens in rebuilding war-damaged homes. The host is a perky, red-headed 29-year-old woman who delights in tackling the toughest do-it-yourself construction jobs.

But it gets better:

An upcoming drama series on al-Sharqiya called ìThe Lootersî will feature families who grew rich off the spoils of ransacking after the U.S.-led war last year. Another show, called ìIraqís Most Melancholy Home Videos,î will capture reactions of Iraqis watching footage of former neighbors now living abroad. ìBlessed Weddingî will follow a young couple as they get married, go on their honeymoon and adjust to domestic life together.

ìThe Iraqis were not used to these kinds of programs,î said Alaa Dahan, 37, the director of al-Sharqiya, the countryís first privately owned satellite TV station. ìBut we have to depend on the reality, to focus on the reality, particularly what happened after the war, both the positive and negative sides.î

Wow, weíll never understand these people. Itís like an entirely alien culture that makes no sense to me whatsoever.