War Games: It's All in the Cards

When War Became a Fun Way to Pass the Time

I see your Ace of Spades and raise you a Ministry of Defense. Iran, do you have Osama Bin Laden?

Go Fish.

Either the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) still isn't playing with a full deck, or once again playing cards have hit war zones as psychological tools to hunt for the enemy. In Vietnam, being dealt the Ace of Spades meant sure death for Charlie. This time, though, the hunted get headshots and suit ranking based on role and U.S. soldiers get an education.

The decks were created by the DIA to distribute to soldiers to help them recognize the now remaining 52 most wanted former Iraqi regime members. Each card features a picture and title of the wanted official. There are two jokers in the deck, but currently neither of them has faces. Instead, one lists Arab titles and the other Iraqi military ranks for quick reference.

Although only two hundred decks were printed, these cards are hot commodities.

In addition to being plastered on T.V. news, Internet pop-up ads linked to political and news sites offer "official pentagon" copies of the cards. Because the Pentagon has not copyrighted them, other card companies are free to replicate and produce them. In fact, the Pentagon Web site now offers a downloadable version of the entire set that anybody can rip.

Before word of the Pentagon's downloadable deck spread, however, several years ago eBay sellers capitalized on the cards' popularity by advertising collector's edition decks. Prices ranged from $15 for single decks to $600 for multi-packs. Another eBay seller offered to throw in a 250 dinar piece with Saddam's face on it for the highest bidder. I've heard of Prada and Fendi knockoffs, but pushing imitation war games at limited edition prices is one fashion that's more out of style than a faithless administration.

Imitation card manufacturer Lud Denny, President of Proset Cards, once told MSNBC instead stressed the education importance for children. "[Kids] are not going to read the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times " but they'll read the back of a card," he said.