Backstabbing for Beginners

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Set in 1997, a young graduate, Michael Soussan, begins his role in the U.N.'s Oil-for-Food program, aimed at aiding Iraqi civilians affected by economic sanctions after Kuwait's invasion. Navigating a complex bureaucracy and the paranoia of his boss, Soussan quickly realizes that the program is rife with corruption. He uncovers that Saddam Hussein is siphoning off illegal kickbacks, which puts him at odds with the U.N. leadership. His revelations lead him to write a Wall Street Journal op-ed on March 8, 2004, calling for an independent investigation into the U.N.'s dealings with Hussein. This bold move prompts Kofi Annan to appoint Paul Volcker to investigate, resulting in numerous prosecutions across multiple countries, many still ongoing. The narrative is both a humorous account of Soussan's political awakening and a critical examination of the hypocrisy within a prominent global institution.