War News Radio

A Year in the Life

2008-08-22T05:32:00Z

Iraqi refugees in Syria in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Photo courtesy of the AP.

This week on War News Radio, we compile the most compelling stories that we’ve heard over the past year in our series, A Day in the Life.

First, we hear from Fuad Mufta, an Iraqi refugee in Syria, about his hopes for getting political asylum in the United States. Elise Garrity prepared this report.

Next, we speak with a refugee who found his way to the United Kingdom, but is now second-guessing his decision to leave. Listen now to this report.

We also talk with a garbage collector about his work. Ayub Nuri reports.

Then, we speak with a chef in Baghdad about his restaurant’s day to day operations. Listen now to this report.

Next, we hear from an Imam from the town of Hawija about his struggles to guide the faithful through difficult times. Listen now to this report.

Finally, we talk with a nurse in Kirkuk’s general hospital about how he treats victims of explosions. Listen now to this report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

Best of Summer '08

2008-08-22T05:31:00Z

Two Iraqi soldiers during a nighttime patrol in the city of Mousel in northern Iraq. Photo courtesy of Ayub Nuri.

This week on War News Radio, we proudly present some of our favorite pieces from the summer.

First, three Iraqis from Kurdistan tell us about the day-to-day problems they face when buying and selling food. Sonny Sidhu and Elizabeth Hipple prepared this report.

Next, members of the US military talk about the value of the Awakening movement as a strategy for a safer and self-protecting Iraq. Kristin Caspar and Alex Imas has this report.

Next, we talk to experts about whether Iraq’s security gains will be enough without corresponding political gains. Elizabeth Hipple reports.

Finally, the mother of a young Iraq veteran tells us about how the war has affected his return home. Listen now to Elise Garrity’s report.

These stories, this week on War News Radio.
Read the transcript for this show »

Support Systems

2008-08-08T20:16:00Z

Afghan women learning to make fruit preserves. Photo courtesy of Rosemary Stasek.

This week on War News Radio, we examine just how closely Pakistan’s equivalent of the CIA is tied to Taliban attacks in Afghanistan. Sonny Sidhu prepared this report.

Next, we check in on the current status of al-Qaeda with Bruce Riedell, a counter-terrorism expert at Brookings Institution, amid reports of of a recently discovered letter intercepted from senior members of the organization. Alex Imas has this report.

Then, we talk to a California mayor turned humanitarian aid worker, who has been working and living in Afghanistan for the past six years. Elise Garrity reports.

Finally, we look at what’s behind the rise in violence against journalists in northern Iraq. Elizabeth Hipple prepared this report.

These stories, this week on War News Radio.
Read the transcript for this show »

Hand in Hand

2008-08-01T18:54:00Z

This week on War News Radio, an Iraqi journalist tells us the story of a suicide bombing, which exploded thirty meters away from him during a peaceful political demonstration. Ayub Nuri prepared this report.

Next, we hear about a diverse group of Iraqi and American youth who assembled in Jordan to construct their own vision of what the war’s big players need to address. Kristin Caspar reports.

We also talk to Congress candidate Tom Perriello whose background in Afghanistan has molded his understanding of US policy in the country. Listen now to Elise Garrity’s report.

Finally, we examine the growing militant presence in Pakistan, despite generous counterterrorism aid from the US. Sonny Sidhu reports.

These stories, this week on War News Radio.
[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]

Squaring Off

2008-07-25T20:06:00Z

This week on War News Radio, we take a look at US-Iran diplomacy and what it means for the two countries to be engaging in talks. Asher Sered and Alex Imas prepared this report.

We also hear from three Iranian-Americans about their views on US-Iran relations. Kristin Caspar reports.

Next, we hear about a women’s boxing program in Afghanistan that is teaching young women how to roll with the punches, inside the ring and out. Listen now to Elise Garrity’s report.

Finally, we hear from Iraqis about their thoughts on the US timetable for withdrawal. Sonny Sidhu reports.

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

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio] Read the transcript for this show »

Loss of Status

2008-07-18T22:21:00Z

Loss of Status

July 18th, 2008
An Iraqi army patrol at Kirkuk’s northern gate. Photo courtesy of Ayub Nuri.

This week on War News Radio, we examine why the negotiations over the Status of Forces Agreement between the US and the Iraqi government have stalled. Asher Sered and Sonny Sidhu prepared this report.

We also talk to two college professors who are sending help from America to Iraqi universities. Elizabeth Hipple reports.

Next, we learn about the Chaldeans, a Christian minority in Iraq that is struggling to survive. Listen now to Kristin Caspar’s report.

Finally, we hear about how Iraqi athletes rebounded after oppression during Saddam’s regime, and how Iraq’s soccer team has boosted morale across the country. Matthew Diaz has more.

These stories, this week on War News Radio.

Wide Awake

2008-07-11T19:09:00Z

Wide Awake

July 11th, 2008

An insurgent in custody of the
Iraqi army in Mousel.
Photo courtesy of Ayub Nuri.

This week on War News Radio, we consider the Awakening movement as a path to better security in Iraq. First, Iraqi civilians talk about how the Awakening Councils have affected their personal security. Elise Garrity reports.

Then, members of the US military talk about the value of this movement as a strategy for a safer and self-protecting Iraq. Kristin Caspar and Alex Imas prepared this report.

Next, we examine what it will take for Iraq’s politics to keep up with the recent improvements in security. Listen now to Elizabeth Hipple’s report.

Finally, how a recent car bombing in Kabul may have consequences beyond Afghan borders. Asher Sered reports.

These stories, this week on War News Radio.

This week’s show features music by Ahmed Al Asheq.

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio] Read the transcript for this show »

Change of Scenery

2008-07-11T19:08:00Z

Change of Scenery

July 4th, 2008
A US humvee during a patrol
in the city of Kirkuk.
Photo courtesy of Ayub Nuri.

This week on War News Radio, the mother of a young Iraq veteran tells us about how the war has affected his return home. Elise Garrity reports.

Then, we hear about one soldier’s dissatisfaction with the media’s coverage of the war, and what he did about it. Elizabeth Hipple has the report.

In February of this past year the Iraqi government announced a new flag, we hear reactions to the change from Kurds in Iraq’s north. Listen now to Jess Engebretson’s report.

Finally we hear about some of the struggles that Iraqi immigrants in America face in their new homes. Sarah Whites-Koditschek reports.

These stories, this week on War News Radio.

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]

Changing Colors

2008-07-11T19:07:00Z

Changing Colors

June 27th, 2008

A camp for displaced people in the southern Iraqi city of Kut.
Photo courtesy of Ayub Nuri.

This week on War News Radio, we look at how ethnic diversity is changing in Iraqi neighborhoods.

First, hear from Iraqis who have left their homes for more homogeneous neighborhoods. Alex Imas and Ayub Nuri report.

Then, we talk about the long term consequences of sectarian segregation. Asher Sered and Elise Garrity report.

Next, we chat with journalist Nir Rosen, who has witnessed the demographics of a Baghdad neighborhood change since the 2003 invasion. Listen now to Sonny Sidhu’s report.

Then, two Iraqi immigrants tell us about what it was like to move to Philadelphia and take root in a new country. Elizabeth Hipple reports.

Finally, we hear from an Iraqi artist who tells us about ethnic diversity inside his own family and his art work. Listen now to Kristin Caspar’s report.

These stories, this week on War News Radio.

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]

Taking Care of Business

2008-06-20T23:33:00Z

This week on War News Radio, personal stories of working in a post-invasion Iraq.

First, we talk with Antonia Juhasz, from Oil Change International, and author of The Tyranny of Oil, about the involvement of foreign oil companies in Iraq. Kristin Caspar and Alex Imas report.

Next, we learn what it is like to be an Iraqi working for an American company in Iraq. Listen now to Alex Ginsberg’s report.

Then, we explore why Americans are going to Iraq to find work. Cyrus Stoller reports.

Finally, in our series, A Day in the Life, we speak with a neurosurgery nurse in Kirkuk about how he copes with the stress of his patients’ traumatic injuries. Listen now to Ayub Nuri’s report.

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

Bread and Butter Issues

2008-06-13T22:20:00Z

This week on War News Radio, we explore the current food crises gripping Iraq and Afghanistan.

First, we talk about the state of agriculture in Iraq and why food production is coming up short. Listen now to Kristin Caspar’s report.

Afghanistan is experiencing a shortage of its most important staple: wheat. Anxieties are rising along with food prices, as Afghans struggle to find solutions. Elise Garrity and Asher Sered report.

Then, we chat with Robin Lodge from the World Food Program in Iraq. As food prices rise around the globe, how and how much is Iraq affected? Listen now to Elizabeth Hipple’s report.

Finally, three Iraqis from Kurdistan tell us about the day-to-day problems they face when buying and selling food. Sonny Sidhu and Elizabeth Hipple report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]

War News Radio Best of the Class of 2008

2008-06-06T21:15:00Z

This week on War News Radio, we salute this year’s alums with our “Best of 2008 Grads” show.

First, 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, 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.

Then, we hear how U.S. service members in Iraq are using Facebook to keep in touch. Listen now to Anne Kolker’s report.

Finally, an Iraqi couple tells us how the war has changed Iraq’s singles scene and how the Internet has helped them stay connected. Listen now to Wren Elhai’s report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]

Faiths and Fears

2008-05-30T19:24:00Z

This week on War News Radio, we explore the impact the war in Iraq has had on the country’s religious communities, both inside Iraq and elsewhere.

First, we learn about the history of one of Iraq’s most threatened religious minorities - the Mandaens. Listen now to Hansi Lo Wang’s report.

Then, we talk with an Iraqi Mandaen now living in the US to hear what the future may hold for his community. Listen now to Elizabeth Threlkeld’s report.

We take a closer look at Iraq’s Sunni-Shi’a divide and at the different beliefs and practices that separate the two groups. Listen now to Alan Smith’s report.

Finally, in our series, A Day in the Life, we hear about the frustrations of an Iraqi Imam as he struggles to guide the faithful in times of fear. Listen now to this report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]

Art at War

2008-05-23T23:02:00Z

This week on War News Radio, we take a look at how war in Iraq has affected local artists and their work.

We meet Mohamed al-Daradji, an Iraqi filmmaker who dared to shoot a movie on the streets of Baghdad. Listen now to Hansi Lo Wang’s report.

Then, we hear from struggling musicians, trying to keep the music alive in the war zone. Listen now to Dan Symond’s report.

Next, we take a look at how American television shows like Oprah and Dr. Phil have changed Iraqis’ perception of the US. Listen now to Emanne Desjardin’s report.

And we learn about the effects that the war has had on Iraq’s once-bustling book markets. Listen now to Elise Garrity’s report.

Finally, in our series, A Day in the Life, we hear from a chef who works the grill in Baghdad. Listen now to this report.

These stories this week from War News Radio.

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]

Best of Spring '08

2008-05-16T16:13:00Z

Iraqi police officers on the job in Basra.

This week on War News Radio , we proudly present some of our favorite pieces from the spring. First, we find out about the slow progress that has been made towards assembling Iraq’s security forces. Listen now to Wren Elhai's report.

Next, joblessness is taking a unique toll on women in Iraq. We hear about how the unemployment situation is changing the work environment for women. Listen now to Jess Engebretson's report.

Then, 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.

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 to this report.

These stories this week from War News Radio .

[Download mp3] [Streaming audio]