War News Radio

A young man waits for oil tankers to arrive on a cold winter day. Photo by Ayub Nuri.

This week, War News Radio presents the second of a series of shows that will explore the big questions still unanswered about the situation in Iraq. This week, we focus on oil.

First, we hear about the violence in the oil rich city of Basra from the people who live there. Listen now to Wren Elhai’s report.

Even in Iraq’s biggest centers of oil production, ordinary people can have a hard time getting fuel. We find out about the fuel ration and buying from the black market in Kirkuk. Listen now to this report from Laura Bolger and Emily Hager.

And, we speak with US Army Brigadier General Edward Cardon about how oil infrastructure fits into the American military strategy for rebuilding Iraq. Listen now to Elizabeth Threlkeld’s report.

Iraq’s oil production is still far lower than expected. We find out about one cause: the country’s aging oil infrastructure. Listen now to this report from Emily Hager, Jess Engebretson, and Eugene Kim.

Finally, we consider the controversy over Iraq’s proposed hydrocarbon law. Listen now to this report from Clare Kobasa and Elizabeth Threlkeld.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

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This week on War News Radio, we find out about the Iraqi government’s efforts to keep doctors from fleeing the country. Listen now to Elizabeth Threlkeld’s report.

Then, we look into the impact of military blogs on soldiers and their families. Listen now to Reuben Heyman-Kantor’s report.

Next, we hear the story of an injured veteran, piecing his life - and his marriage - back together. Listen now to Wren Elhai’s report.

Finally, we learn about the Maine National Guard’s Flat Soldier program. Listen now to Peter Holm’s report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

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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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