Ep 13. Taking Back Iraq & Lost Generation

In Vice season 5 episode 13 titled "Taking Back Iraq & Lost Generation," the show follows two separate storylines in Iraq. The first focuses on the Iraqi army's efforts to take back the city of Mosul from ISIS. The second looks at the plight of the country's younger generation, who are struggling to build a better future in a post-war Iraq.

The episode starts with correspondent Ben Anderson embedded with the Iraqi army as they make their final push into Mosul. He shows the aftermath of a suicide bombing orchestrated by ISIS, which the army uses as a rallying cry to continue the fight. Anderson talks with Iraqi soldiers who have lost friends and family members in the conflict and are willing to risk their lives to see it to its end. The episode also highlights the efforts of female soldiers, who have joined the fight against ISIS and now make up a significant number of the ground troops in Iraq.

The second storyline focuses on the younger generation of Iraqis, who have grown up amidst war and political instability. Vice correspondent Isobel Yeung travels to Baghdad to meet with young people who are struggling to find jobs, education, and a sense of purpose in life. She talks with a group of artists who are trying to use their work to express the pain and suffering that they and their fellow Iraqis have faced. Yeung also visits a youth center that provides education and training to vulnerable young people, helping them to find a way to contribute positively to society.

As the episode unfolds, we see the two storylines intersect, with the soldiers fighting in Mosul belonging to the very same generation that Yeung is shining a light on. Many of them are fighting for a better future for their country and fellow citizens. The episode ends with a sense of hope as we see the Iraqi army celebrating their victory in Mosul, and the young people Yeung met with still striving to build a better future for themselves and their country.

Overall, "Taking Back Iraq & Lost Generation" provides a poignant look at the realities of life in war-torn Iraq. By focusing on the perspectives of both soldiers on the front lines and young people trying to find their way in a damaged country, the episode sheds light on the complexities of life in this troubled region.