The other day, I was telling y’all about Steven Vincent‘s 2004 book, “In the Red Zone.” I’m nearly 100 pages into the book and have already been moved beyond words by his writings about the true condition of Iraqi life and feelings towards America. Seriously, you *need* to read this book.
This morning, however, I’m saddened for a different reason — I just now read on MSNBC that Steven Vincent has been killed in the tumultuous Iraqi city of Basra. In his book, Vincent talks about going to the most conflicted parts of the country, exploiting the Iraqis lack of European knowledge by claiming to be a Yugoslavian journalist, to discern what life’s really like for an Iraqi citizen post-Saddamm. So to be completely honest, I’m not surprised his insistence on traveling to the most dangerous parts of the country have led to his demise. That doesn’t make it okay, but it somehow feels part of the story. Almost inevitable. And very sad.
The article says:
American journalist found shot dead in Basra
Steven Vincent had been critical of Islamic radicalism’s rise in southern Iraq
Police said Steven Vincent had been shot multiple times after he and his Iraqi translator were abducted at gunpoint hours earlier.
Iraqi police in Basra said Vincent was abducted along with his female translator at gunpoint Tuesday evening. The translator, Nour Weidi, was seriously wounded.
Vincent and the translator were seized Tuesday afternoon by five gunmen in a police car as they left a currency exchange shop, police Lt. Col. Karim al-Zaidi said.
Vincent’s body was discovered on the side of the highway south of Basra later. He had been shot in the head and multiple times on his body, al-Zaidi said.