Iraq

National

VFW Recruits On College Campus To Bring Young Vets Into The Fold

4:11pm December 29, 2016

by Fred Thys

The VFW wants more younger vets — those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Students at Northeastern University who are looking to be part of the VFW have come up with an idea: a VFW post on campus.

Siblings Ibrahim and Evan visit the home of their aunt December 27 in Bakhdida, Iraq, southeast of Mosul. The Islamic state burned the home, looted their parents home and destroyed or vandalized every church in Bakhdida. With a population of 50,000, it h

World News

Global Powers' Commitment To Intervene In Genocides May Be Waning

8:32am December 29, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

The U.N. endorsed the "Responsibility to Protect" doctrine in 2005, calling on world powers to stop atrocities. But the secretary general says there's no longer global solidarity on the agreement.

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World News

Filmmaker Documents Battle To Retake Mosul With Those Fighting It

4:15pm December 28, 2016

by Peter Kenyon

As Iraqi army and Kurdish forces battle to take the city of Mosul away from ISIS forces, a Kurdish filmmaker is shooting a real-time war drama about some of those giving their lives in the struggle.

World News

Looking Ahead To The War Against ISIS In 2017

4:36pm December 27, 2016

In 2017, major fighting against the ISIS in Iraq may wind up and focus may shift to a new protracted campaign in northern Syria. Ari Shapiro talks with NPR's Tom Bowman about what lies ahead.

World News

2016 Has Been A Very Bad Year, Says Bartender In Northern Iraq

6:22am December 26, 2016

In the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, there's a new bar in Suleimaniya. The bartender says that with Iraq at war with ISIS, he's anticipating a low-key New Year's Eve celebration.

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Four Iraqi commandos at the base were among those awarded medals by Defense Secretary Ash Carter during his visit earlier this month.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter Predicts 'Tough Fight' Ahead To Retake Mosul

8:08pm December 22, 2016

by David Welna

In the battle to retake Mosul from ISIS, the Qayyarah Airfield West is a key staging base run by Iraqi and U.S. forces. Ash Carter visited there Dec. 11 and awarded medals to eight Iraqi soldiers.

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World News

Conditions Worsen For Civilians As Iraqi Forces Struggle To Retake Mosul

4:39pm December 19, 2016

by Jane Arraf

Conditions in the ISIS-controlled city of Mosul are worsening for hundreds of thousands of civilians while the Iraqi government's push to take the town back is moving methodically.

A young fighter stands at a checkpoint near the Jada'aa camp for internally displaced people. Just before dusk, the sky is darkened by smoke from oil fires set by ISIS nearby.

World News

For Iraqi Families With ISIS Links, Agonizing Choices — And Consequences

10:09am December 18, 2016

by Jane Arraf

Most of the almost 10,000 residents of the Jada'aa camp for internally displaced people are from the Mosul area. Hundreds of families were expelled from their villages after relatives joined ISIS.

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World News

Pentagon Chief Ash Carter Makes Unannounced Trip To Baghdad

7:41am December 12, 2016

by David Welna

Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Baghdad on Sunday to discuss the battle to retake Mosul from ISIS. On Monday, he's in Israel, which becomes the first U.S. ally to receive the F-35 fighter.

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The Sheikhan criminal court occupies a municipal office building north of Mosul. Cases are heard after long delays and defense attorneys have limited contact with their clients.

World News

At A Makeshift Iraqi Court, Harsh Justice For Those Accused Of Aiding ISIS

8:28am December 10, 2016

by Peter Kenyon

Working in difficult circumstances, lawyers and judges do their best to administer justice. NPR was present at a trial of a man accused of repairing ISIS vehicles. He and relatives denied ISIS links.