Iraq War

Following the events of September 11, 2001, the name of the al-Qaeda organization, as the terrorist group leading to attacks, quickly spread all around the world, and this group and its leaders and activists were prosecuted. The organization, rooted in Salafi and fundamentalist extremist thoughts, has always been supported by the West and the United States during the Cold War because of his struggle against the Red Army in Afghanistan. But the end of the Cold War and the spread of al-Qaeda’s thoughts to other Islamic countries, as well as the meaning crisis of the end of the Cold War, gradually led to the introduction of this group and similar organizations as enemies and fighting against radicalization of Western policy in the region. However, the war in Afghanistan caused the country to become insecure for al-Qaeda, and they scattered more than before in other countries of the region. The Iraq war also conducted part of these forces to Iraq to fight the Americans. Al-Qaeda has been struggling to rebuild itself all around the world, including western countries, since September 11, taking its flexible network structure into account and has put new tactics on its agenda. The present article examines the ideology and structure of this organization and the changes and continuity of its behavioral pattern and its operation.

This research explores fictional representations of the Iraq War by American writers, focusing on how neglecting soldiers’ individuality renders their psychological suffering invisible. This theme is especially prominent in American literature on the Iraq War, where protagonists — often American soldiers — experience deep psychological crises and struggle to reintegrate into civilian life. Kevin Powers' The Yellow Birds and Roy Scranton’s War Porn portray the war’s devastating consequences and lasting impact on soldiers. Even after returning home, these soldiers face ongoing psychological battles. Using theories of Survival Psychology and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, this paper analyzes how these novels illuminate the American war in Iraq and its far-reaching effects. The war affected not only Iraqi civilians but also American combatants, inflicting enduring psychological harm. This study identifies a recurring pattern of destruction that affects both the external environment and individual identity. By highlighting the psychological trauma and the depersonalization of soldiers’ suffering in War Porn and The Yellow Birds , the paper exposes the complex and often baffling aftermath of war. These narratives reveal how war continues to shape the lives of American veterans long after combat ends, offering a deeper understanding of the hidden psychological toll of modern warfare.