New Media Review: What I Want You to Know

The recent withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan has renewed questioning about the justification and merits of the 20-year Global War on Terror. This article reviews What I Want You to Know, a timely new documentary that provides a cathartic space for 13 American combat veterans to address such questions. In less than 90 minutes, veterans deconstruct years of political deceptions against the backdrop of traumatic overseas experiences. The documentary’s strengths include its elevation of veteran voices, as well as its utility as an instrument of critical consciousness that challenges the political contexts for war. Limitations include the need for greater diversity of participants from additional military branches, ranks, and sociodemographic backgrounds, as well as the need for greater attention to resources for the transition home. Despite these issues, this film will appeal to war documentary enthusiasts and academics alike. It will prove particularly useful as a pedagogical tool in the classroom for university departments with coursework related to the study of moral injury and military-connected populations.