This book investigates the devastating consequences of international sanctions and warfare on the nation of Iraq. Anthony Arnove, drawing on extensive research and firsthand accounts, details the humanitarian crisis that unfolded in Iraq during the 1990s and early 2000s. The work argues that these policies, ostensibly aimed at political change, resulted in widespread suffering, disease, and death among the Iraqi civilian population, challenging the justifications and outcomes of such international interventions.

This work is recognized for its critical examination of the human cost of international policy in Iraq. It presents a detailed account of the suffering endured by the Iraqi people under sanctions and war, drawing on a range of evidence to support its arguments. The book serves as a significant contribution to the discourse on the ethics and efficacy of such measures, offering a stark perspective on their real-world impact.