Book SummaryBlack Hearts, by Jim Frederick

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Black Hearts

In Black Hearts, Jim Frederick examines the 2006 Mahmudiyah Massacre, in which American soldiers committed a war crime against an Iraqi family. He argues that the incident was the result of a series of failures at multiple levels, including strategic missteps in the Iraq War, systemic failures in leadership and supervision, and dysfunction within the unit. Frederick contends that the atrocity was not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of a series of events and decisions that created an environment in which such a crime could occur.

Frederick...

Black Hearts Summary Strategic and Leadership Failures in Iraq

Frederick argues that the U.S. failed to plan for post-invasion Iraq. There was no strategy for what to do after the invasion, and the first American transition team was understaffed and underfunded. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jay Garner led the team, which was created only weeks prior to the start of the invasion. The Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, which was supposed to transfer power to the Iraqis, was replaced when the aftermath of the invasion proved to be much more disorderly than expected.

(Shortform note: Some senior officials have disputed the claim that there was “no strategy for what to do after the invasion.” In his memoir War and Decision, former undersecretary of defense Douglas J. Feith argues that the Pentagon devoted more time and effort to postwar Iraq issues than to the combat phase itself. He explains that the Defense Department produced thousands of pages of detailed plans and conducted numerous interagency meetings on matters such as humanitarian relief, restoration of basic services, reform of Iraqi institutions, and the organization of Iraq’s political transition.)

L. Paul "Jerry"...

Black Hearts Summary The Abeer Qassim al-Janabi Atrocity and its Aftermath

Frederick describes how American troops committed a heinous war crime against Abeer Qassim al-Janabi and her family. On March 12, 2006, they sexually assaulted and killed the 14-year-old girl and murdered her family. The servicemen planned and executed their actions systematically.

(Shortform note: A war crime is a serious violation of the laws of armed conflict, such as intentionally targeting civilians, torturing prisoners, or using prohibited weapons. These acts are outlawed under international law, including the Geneva Conventions, and those responsible can be prosecuted by international courts. The attack on Abeer Qassim al-Janabi and her family is considered a war crime because it involved the deliberate targeting and killing of civilians.)

Next, we will examine the investigations and the fallout from the massacre.

Investigation, Prosecution, and Fallout

Frederick explains that investigations into the Mahmudiyah incident were conducted, but some considered them hasty and incomplete. The first investigation, begun on June 18, centered on the decisions made and guidance given about staffing at the AVLB. That investigation...

Shortform Exercise: Leadership Failures and the Aftermath of a Decision

Explore the consequences of key leadership decisions made by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in post-invasion Iraq.

How might the CPA's decision to dissolve Iraq's military and police have impacted the local population's trust in the new government?