"I was the terrorist": Ex-US military soldier reflects on 'war on terror' service
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Former US soldier calls herself “the terrorist” in viral video reflecting on Iraq War service.
- Video sparks debate over morality of US foreign policy and long-term veteran trauma.
A former US Army soldier has gone viral with a short video reflecting on her Iraq War service, calling herself “the terrorist” and igniting intense discussion across social media.
In the video, viewed hundreds of thousands of times, the veteran stands before a photo of her younger self in uniform. She recounts her experience in the so-called War on Terror with a tone of quiet reckoning.
Read more: Iran claims US soldiers captured amid ongoing war; Washington denies
"Twenty years ago, I participated in a war on terror," she says. "And today, I’m having to come to terms with the realization that I was the terrorist."
Veterans Grapple With Regret
Her message resonates with a growing number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans questioning the ethical and human costs of US military operations. Many describe a painful transition from pride in service to confronting moral injury long after leaving the battlefield.
Read more: G7 leaders to hold video summit on Mideast war Wednesday: French presidency
Critics of the Iraq invasion highlight the flawed intelligence on weapons of mass destruction, which led to widespread civilian casualties and prolonged regional instability. The video personalizes these consequences, showing the psychological toll on soldiers themselves.
Polarized Online Reactions
Responses to the video have been sharply divided.
Supporters hail the veteran’s honesty, framing her admission as a courageous acknowledgment of the human impact of war.
Some fellow service members, however, contend her statement oversimplifies complex realities and disrespects those who served with honor.
War on Terror’s Enduring Legacy
As the two-decade mark of the Iraq invasion passes, stories like hers are increasingly public. Advocacy groups such as About Face: Veterans Against the War report rising numbers of service members speaking out against military interventions, often prompted by firsthand experiences in conflict zones.
Though the veteran does not detail specific events from her deployment, her brief reflection underscores the deep ethical and psychological consequences that continue to shadow both Iraqi civilians and American soldiers.
