Um, what is the kind of the diversity of views, and what hopes does it bring with the end of U.S. military presence, but also what anxieties, particularly given, um, the events following the last withdrawal, which of course, uh, was followed short- relatively shortly thereafter by the resurgence of ISIS and, and another U.S. military intervention?

Well, Scott, first of all, thank you for having me in this conversation.

In fact, two things related to that matter.

One, and probably they are the biggest issue when we talk about U.S.-Iraqi relations.

One is I have seen recently when, once again, the Iran-backed militias, which is almost in control of the entire country, would drive through, uh, and over American flags.

I don't know...

I, I mean, I was surprised that people were surprised that this happened.

So talk to us about what is the realistic political space here for addressing these problems? How concerned are you, how concerned are many other Iraqis for the ability to, to tackle these big challenges?

And can you describe your predicament in the Turkish trench, which almost cost you your life?

Yes.

I always go back to that.

It's a defining moment in my life.

The reason I had and decided that it's time to depart was the fact that I sensed, I felt that I might be captured at any moment.

Because there were many factors that contributed to that understanding and conclusion I reached.

First, ISIS was already losing the privilege it enjoyed prior to the precise airstrikes that were conducted surgically, that many of their headquarters in the periphery of the city, in the outskirts of the city, because they enjoyed a wide range of access to former military camps, etc.

But describe how the story of the Mosul Eye shifts when you go to France and the coalition begins to retake Mosul.