The Wild West of Iraq: A Bank Robbery in Baghdad | Josh Bates | Ep. 403
The Wild West of Iraq: A Bank Robbery in Baghdad | Josh Bates | Ep. 403  
Podcast: The Team House
Published On: Sat Mar 21 2026
Description: We sit down with Josh Bates to discuss his experience as a Marine infantry officer during the invasion of Iraq, from the initial push north to the chaos of Baghdad after the regime collapsed. He breaks down the realities of urban combat, leadership under pressure, and the breakdown of order that fueled the early insurgency. We also discuss how those experiences shaped his career and led to writing The Baghdad Shuffle.Grab "Baghdad Shuffle" here:⬇️https://a.co/d/045PaH2PToday's Sponsors:Mando ⬇️Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with MANDO and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code [TEAMHOUSE] at https://shopmando.com/GhostBed⬇️https://www.ghostbed.com/houseFOR 10% off! Blue Chew ⬇️https://bluechew.com/Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code "HOUSECALL"Mars Men⬇️For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://mengotomars.com/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouseTo help support the show and for all bonus content including:-live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video-early access to shows-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guestsSubscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSupport the show here:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse___________________________________________________PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured__________________________________Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/——————————————————————Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouseSocial Media: ⬇️The Team House Instagram:https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_linkThe Team House Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePodJack’s Instagram:https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_linkJack’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21Dave’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21Team House Discord: ⬇️https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6SubReddit: ⬇️https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️ https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 Start01:10 Growing Up in Hawaii & Marine Family Background05:18 9/11 and Entering the Marine Corps07:27 First Combat: Seizing Iraq’s Oil Infrastructure10:55 Fighting Through Southern Iraq15:07 Entering Baghdad & Urban Warfare18:50 Looting, Crime, and Collapse of Order23:08 Policing Baghdad & Early Occupation Chaos27:15 Najaf, Elections Fallout & Rising Insurgency34:15 The Wild West Phase of Early Iraq War45:50 Platoon Leadership & Combat Culture1:05:30 Transitioning Roles & Leaving the Platoon1:20:45 Intelligence, Counterintel & Career Shift1:35:30 Writing The Baghdad Shuffle1:50:15 Lessons from Iraq & How the War Changed2:05:00 Final Reflections & ClosingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.