[rhizome]

there's no need to understand elementary facts about their culture before you invade

I can guarantee you that the people who directed the Iraq Wars knew full well the elementary facts about their culture before invading and engaging in a (partially) global war on terror. They know that you can't win a war against a technique, and they know that going to war in these areas attracts terrorists who want to fight against you. The only question was where the game board was going to be placed, and that question was answered over 20 years ago.

It was only in the portrayal to the taxpayer and the invaded that these were left as unknowns.