Saman presents his photographs made in Iraq, alongside quotes from political figures, lists of killed civilians and military personnel, a log from the infamous collateral murder incident — all under chapter headings taken from the code names the US military used for their Iraqi operations.

Beyond the heavy subject matter in itself, this feels like a book that’s very close to home in a weird way. I vividly remember being a teenager in 2003 when the US/UK invaded Iraq and how demonstrating against the war was a big part of my early political socialization.

“Beautiful” but disturbing images make up a deep and engaging visual narrative in this work.