Democracy Now
July 06, 2007
An Iraqi Rhapsody: Poet & Novelist Sinan Antoon on the U.S. Destruction of the Iraqi State, His Latest Novel and the Sad Statement that Iraq Was Better Under Saddam Hussein
Iraqi-born poet and novelist Sinan Antoon joins us in our firehouse studio to discuss the U.S. occupation of Iraq, his latest novel, "I'jaam: An Iraqi Rhapsody," poetry, and much more. Antoon says, "Even if there is withdrawal, it's going to be withdrawal Israeli-style: from urban centers to the military bases…that have been built there with millions and millions of dollars. This is the old colonial style: when it's too costly you let the natives kill each other, let the natives police each other." [includes rush transcript]
Sinan Antoon is an Iraqi-born poet, novelist and filmmaker. He left Iraq in 1991 after the Persian Gulf War and currently teaches Arabic literature at New York University. His poems and essays have been widely published in both Arabic and English. In the summer of 2003, Sinan returned to Baghdad with a group of filmmakers to co-direct "About Baghdad," an acclaimed documentary about Iraq under U.S. occupation. His novel "I'jaam: An Iraqi Rhapsody" was recently published in English, and a collection of his poetry was published last month titled "The Baghdad Blues." He is a member of the editorial committee of Middle East Report.
- Sinan Antoon, Iraqi-born poet, novelist and filmmaker. He currently teaches Arabic literature at New York University.
Rush Transcript
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AMY GOODMAN: We turn now to another Iraqi voice, Sinan Antoon, an Iraqi-born poet, novelist, filmmaker. He left Iraq in 1991 after the Persian Gulf War, currently teaches Arabic literature at New York University. His poems and essays have been widely published in both Arabic and English. In the summer of 2003, Sinan returned to Baghdad with a group of filmmakers to co-direct About Baghdad, an acclaimed documentary about Iraq under US occupation. His novel I'jaam: An Iraqi Rhapsody was recently published in English, and a collection of his poetry was also published in June, called The Baghdad Blues. He's a member of the editorial committee of Middle East Report. Sinan Antoon joins us in our firehouse studio. Welcome to Democracy Now!
SINAN ANTOON: Thank you for having me.
AMY GOODMAN: As you listen to your fellow Iraqis speaking about the oil law, your thoughts?
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