Reappraisal of Syriana

Official site for the film

"Does the movie have something to do with Syria?" explanation of the name

Stephen Gaghan and Robert Baer:


Perhaps the reappraisal should wait until I re-watch the movie, but enough time has passed from the first viewing and I still remember the basic plot details. Is the movie a classic? I'm not sure--in 15 or 20 years I think it will seem outdated, if only because we may have a better sense of American entanglements in the Middle East by then, and the real role and influence oil companies have had.

I still think some movies could be made based on the actual life of Robert Baer. I believe originally the movie was going to be a straight adaptation of his book, but they decided to write a new script, and invent a character, Bob Barnes. Is Mr. Baer an opportunist, capitalizing on his experiences? A shameless self-promoter? An empty talking-head passing himself off as an expert on the Middle East, though one with a fascinating background? Or is he something more than that? (Similar charges have been made of those who have served the country, David Hackworth, Eric Haney...) I think that if it would have been possible for him to remain at the CIA while maintaining his integrity, he would have done so. When a man devotes his life to serving his country and he is prevented from doing so by the agency or military of which he is a part, one can only imagine the sadness he must feel.

What has the impact of the movie been? Virtually none, as far as I can tell. It didn't really enter into mainstream conversation among Americans. While reform of the CIA and the intelligence community remains a pressing concern, it is not clear to me if the 9/11 Commission, the changes that have been implemented and the various political appointments have amounted to any good. As it is, I don't think I would want to enter into Federal service. Unfortunately the movie, unlike the book See No Evil, did not really focus on the need of the CIA for reform, though it did show how politicized it was. One suspects that the agency's betrayal of Barnes reflects how officers and agents of a certain generation at the CIA perceived the changes within the agency during the 90s.

Instead, the movie focused on... oil. While Americans are aware that gas prices are going up and oil is coming from elsewhere, whom do they blame for the increase? The oil companies. Certainly not themselves. Just yesterday there was a story on NBC Nightly News about BP knowing for a while that they were having problems with corrision of their pipes in Alaska, and that it could have been mitigated had they not cut down on preventative measures in order to save on costs.

Does our dependency on oil influence our political decision-making and foreign policy? Undoubtedly. Could we really decide differently? Not if all of us agree with Vice President Dick Cheney in maintaining that "the American way of life is non-negotiable." This is what the movie attempts to portray, how all of the small cogs inside industry and government are caught up in something bigger than they can comprehend, and there is no easy solution to their difficulties. (Some have complained that the movie does not offer an easy solution--one wonders if they are being simpletons and completely missed the point of the movie.)

How are Muslim terrorist organizations weaved into the story of Syriana? Does the movie respect religious motivation, or does it attempt to reduce it to economics? While the movie does make the point that such groups can find recruits among those who have no economic opportunities, at the same time it portrays the recruiter as having sincere religious beliefs. It is not clear to me if those whom he recruits have an "authentic" conversion, or if they are merely seeking a way to lash out against their perceived oppressors.

Americans today remain as oblivious as before about Peak Oil and its potential consequences. Problems with infrastructure and conflict in oil-producing regions have obscured the basic assertion of Peak Oil messengers--there is a finite amount of oil on this planet, and sooner (or later) production will peak. If production peaks, while demand continues to increase (along with our dependency), leading to a point of no return for our economic arrangements, then the consequences will be dire. People don't realize that they depend on oil for more than fueling their cars and heating their homes.

At least Rep. Roscoe Bartlett is trying to do something about peak oil within Congress. (Interviews with Rep. Bartlett: audio files, transcripts)

That said, if one has to watch movies, Syriana is a movie worth watching (at least?) once. But it would be better use of time for people to read about Peak Oil and to see what they can do to forestall its consequences on their own lives. Maybe it will be not much, if they act in isolation. But if they realize this, perhaps they can meet and discuss with others and try to come up with an actionable plan for their local communities.

Books by Robert Baer:
See No Evil
Sleeping with the Devil
Blow the House Down (novel)

"The Fall of the House of Saud"
"Dangerous Liasons"

Interviews with Robert Baer:
Buzzflash; Frontline; BBC3; FrontPage; npr; Atlantic; CHUD (he discusses the movie); Harpers; Hoover; Foreign Correspondent; BBC; Washington ProFile; PBS interview; CNN transcript; Lateline; On the Media (020202, 060702); Bob Rivers; BORR; GreenCine;
; Public Ed Center; Eyeonbooks;

short bio

on intelligence reform and the CIA: Foreign Policy Association, How the CIA can be fixed;
Wanted: Spies Like Us; wmassociation; Hoover Institution: "I Spy"; "Flying Blind with the CIA"

chatroom transcript; another

Articles:
Durango Herald; Telegraph; Former Intelligence Officials Take To the Novel To Tell Their Stories; Intelligence Reform? Patience; Spy World; Top Former CIA Agent Condemns New Terror War; Salon; NRO; Online Journal; "Washington vs. Havana"

An analysis of current intelligence reform
a blogger's opinion