Iraqnam

English

Etymology

Blend of Iraq +‎ Vietnam.

Proper noun

Iraqnam

1. (often derogatory) The country of Iraq during the Iraq War (2003–2011) that began with a controversial invasion by a United States-led coalition, seen as analogous to the Vietnam War (1955–1975) which was also marked by American military involvement.
   • 2003 September 20, Paul Shallard, “Feedback: Comment on A sad case of schadenfreude by Andrew Gimson (13/09/2003)”, in The Spectator‎^[1]:

     Remember how the US troops were told that after the “Shock and Awe” knockout blow and the Iraqis welcomed them in with open arms, they would largely all be off home by the 4th July! Well, welcome to IraqNam.

   • 2006, Jerry Autry, “Preface”, in Gun-Totin' Chaplain: A True Memoir, San Francisco, CA: Airborne Press, →ISBN, page xiii:

     It was one of the worst days of my life, as I had to admit that Vietnam had been a waste. When the Iraq war began, it became evident to me that it was going to be an IRAQNAM—as mismanaged as Vietnam had been or worse.

   • 2008 November, Joseph E Fasciani, “Letters to the editor: Ruined reputation”, in Common Ground, number 208, →ISSN, page 10:

     Now can we leave IraqNam and Afghanistan? We pissed away billions to support US oil fascism, and ruined our nation's reputation in so-doing. Meanwhile, record numbers of homeless people and families, undernourished children, and failling^[sic] young people grow, even as we pump up the BS for BC's version of the Olympic Follies.

   • 2009, Kate Clinton, I Told You So, Boston, MA: Beacon Press, →ISBN, page 58:

     Aided by our Uncle Toms—Brokaw and Hanks—the rich, who had not served in the first quagmire because they had other priorities, grew nostalgic for those so-called greatest generation wars. When attacked in 2001, we were pumped up and ready. We gave ourselves rhetorical goose bumps about freedom goose-stepping. Iraqnam.