War News Radio

A meeting of the provincial council in Ninevah. Photo courtesy of the AP.

The war in Iraq began five years ago this week. To mark the anniversary, War News Radio is preparing a set of shows that will explore the big questions still unanswered about the situation in Iraq. This week on War News Radio, we focus in on local politics.

We take a close look at the structure of national and local government in Iraq, and see how things have changed since 2003. Listen now to this report from Aaron Schwartz, Haley Loram, and Clare Kobasa.

There are many groups working on local governance projects in Iraq, ranging from Provincial Reconstruction Teams to NGOs and private contractors. We find out about the challenges they’ve had teaming up. Listen now to Elizabeth Threlkeld’s report.

In our series A Day in the Life, we hear from Hidayat Ibrahim, a provincial administrator in Sulaimaniya. Listen now to this report.

And, we speak with Abbas Mehdi, a former chairman of Iraq’s National Investment Commission, about his experiences trying to coordinate local and national government projects. Listen now to this report.

Finally, we consider the outlook for local government in Iraq, and how things might change as a result of Iraq’s new provincial powers act. Listen now to this report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

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Two Iraqi children traveling to their village south of Baghdad. Photo courtesy of the AP.

This week on War News Radio, we speak to two brothers who must decide whether to escape the dangers of a warzone or stay in Baghdad with their family. Listen now to Amelia Templeton’s report.

Then, we hear about two girls who underwent plastic surgery in Iraq for very different reasons. Listen now to Elizabeth Threlkeld’s report.

Next, we learn about the U.S. military’s counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq. Listen now to Alex Marlowe Ginsberg’s report.

Finally, we listen to the tale of an American couple’s 1956 trip to an Iraqi town. Listen now to Aaron Schwartz and Hansi Lo Wang’s report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

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A Kurdish Shiite family in a northwestern Iraq refugee camp. Photo courtesy of the AP.

This week on War News Radio, we hear from Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan, and take a look at how their lives are changing as their resources dwindle. Listen now to Haley Loram’s report.

Then, we speak with Susanne Fischer, a reporter in Baghdad who tells us about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Iraq. Listen now.

Next, we learn about an educational Iraqi cartoon program designed to help children navigate the dangers of war. Listen now to Ben Mendelson’s report.

Finally, in our series “A Day in the Life”, we speak with an Iraqi refugee who made it to the UK by way of Turkey and Greece–but now thinks leaving was a mistake. Listen now.

These stories, plus the week’s news, from War News Radio.

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A soldier patrolling the streets of Fallujah. Photo courtesy of the AP.

This week on War News Radio, we hear the voices of U.S. forces and the individual stories of the people serving in Iraq.

First, a large part of the U.S. army is made up of non-citizen soldiers. Is it the fast road to citizenship that inspires non-citizens to enlist, or is it patriotism? Listen now to Hansi Lo Wang and Aaron Schwartz’s report.

And, for students at the U.S. service academies, a diploma can be a ticket to Iraq. We hear from students at Annapolis and Westpoint about preparing for war. Listen now to Sarah Manion’s report.

Then, U.S. service members aren’t the only American forces in Iraq. Thousands of private military contractors are performing jobs once reserved for enlisted forces. But, are they doing a good job? Listen now to Alex Marlowe Ginsberg’s report.

These stories, plus the week’s news, from War News Radio.

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Father and child viewing a procession. Photo courtesy of the AP.

This week on War News Radio, we hear about how an American non-profit is sending Kurdish children overseas for heart treatment they can’t get back home. Listen now to Laura Bolger’s report.

We also hear about a newly reopened language school in Sulimaniyah that teaches students about the finer points of American English. Listen now to Michael Xu’s report.

In Iraq 101, we learn more about the Mahdi Army and its feud with the Badr Brigade. Listen now to Emanne Desjardin’s report.

And, in our series, A Day in the Life, we hear from a member of Iraq’s Commission on Public Integrity. Listen now.

Finally, in Afghanistan 101, we find out how Afghanistan’s neighbors have influenced the war. Listen now to Emily Hager and Aaron Schwartz’s report.

These stories, plus the week’s news, from War News Radio.

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