Chapter 14: Beyond the Euphrates

Chapter 14: Beyond the Euphrates

From History of the Marine Corps by Robert Estrada

November 27, 2025 · 1h 27m · Season 250 · Episode 14

About this episode

This episode covers the surge years in Afghanistan and the invasion of Iraq, focusing on the experiences of the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines.

The surge years in Afghanistan sit at the center of this episode. We start in Marjah and Sangin, where canals, poppy fields, and mud walls turned into kill zones. The story follows the grinding losses of the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and the slow shift from clearing ground to advising Afghan units. It ends at Kabul's airport in 2021, with Marines holding Abbey Gate as the war comes apart around them. From there, the chapter turns west, back to where this generation first learned to fight. The invasion of Iraq, the drive on Baghdad, An Nasiriyah's Ambush Alley, and the twin battles of Fallujah show Marines learning urban war along the Euphrates. Together, Helmand and Iraq become one story, a long arc of patrol bases, city fights, and withdrawals that never feel like closure. Support the Series Listen ad-free and a week early on historyofthemarinecorps.supercast.com Donate directly at historyofthemarinecorps.com Try a free 30-day Audible trial at audibletrial.com/marinehistory Social Media Instagram - @historyofthemarines Facebook - @marinehistory Twitter - @marinehistory

People in this episode

Host: Robert Estrada

Topics covered

  • Afghanistan War
  • Iraq War
  • Marine Corps history
  • urban warfare
  • military strategy
  • combat experiences

Keywords

  • Marine Corps
  • Afghanistan
  • Iraq
  • urban warfare
  • combat
  • military history
  • 3rd Battalion 5th Marines
  • Kabul
  • Fallujah
  • An Nasiriyah

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Marjah, Sangin, Kabul, Iraq, Baghdad, An Nasiriyah, Fallujah

More episodes of History of the Marine Corps

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the History of the Marine Corps podcast page.