The Moon is Down

a novel by John Steinbeck published in 1942

One fine Sunday morning, German (read "Coalition") soldiers arrive in a Norwegian (read "an Iraqi") town, and make short work of the defending troops. Boarding with the mayor, the commanding officer hopes that the two can retain order as the Germans go about their business of extracting coal from the local mine (read "oil") to further their war actions. Yet the mayor will not betray his people, even to save them. As the occupation continues, the townspeople, begin to fight the occupiers with devastating consequences on both sides. And as the resistance increases, the German (read "Coalition") soldiers find themselves despairing of victory.

A hauntingly familiar story.

The Moon is Down Again.