The more war changes, the more war stays the same.

I have been religiously make my way through Generation Kill (only one episode left to go) and one thing that has really had me thinking is just how similar the show is to the jaw-dropping, heart wrenching HBO World War II miniseries, Band of Brothers (shame on you those who haven't seen it - drop everything and run to rent it - no seriously, now). Both series are based on factually true accounts of a specific military company at war so I believe it is safe to say that we can read both series as having a non-fiction plot. While the nature of warfare in World War II and the massive number of battles the troops went through make the war in Iraq look like a diverting jaunt in the desert, both series do an amazing job at showing the follies of war including the clueless higher ups doing the planning and the scarily incompetent team leaders. Both series also do an excellent job of showing the fraternity that grows amongst the men (and both are helped by a wonderful team of actors). For each series, I certainly had a base familiarity with the facts of the war but each show just brings you closer in and makes you think about what is really at stake. I think when you evaluate what is at stake in each war you can find the key point where the shows differ - someone please tell me exactly what we are fighting for now?