NPR People: JJ Sutherland http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5239626&ft=1&f=5239626 JJ Sutherland, a veteran producer at NPR, is now Pentagon reporter. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif JJ Sutherland http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5239626&ft=1&f=5239626 Battle Against IEDs Spreads From Iraq To Afghanistan Homemade bombs are the biggest killer of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq, one idea that has worked to protect troops from the bombs is called Task Force ODIN. Now, that strategy, which relies on aerial surveillance video, is heading to Afghanistan. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114221171&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114221171&ft=1&f=5239626 Homemade bombs are the biggest killer of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq, one idea that has worked to protect troops from the bombs is called Task Force ODIN. Now, that strategy, which relies on aerial surveillance video, is heading to Afghanistan.

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]]> General: U.S. Accelerating Iraq Withdrawal The top U.S. commander in Iraq called for "strategic patience" during the U.S. withdrawal and the transition of responsibilities to Iraq's security forces. Army Gen. Ray Odierno told lawmakers the U.S. is speeding up its withdrawal from Iraq. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113352309&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113352309&ft=1&f=5239626 The top U.S. commander in Iraq called for "strategic patience" during the U.S. withdrawal and the transition of responsibilities to Iraq's security forces. Army Gen. Ray Odierno told lawmakers the U.S. is speeding up its withdrawal from Iraq.

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]]> Missile Defense: Does It Work? The Obama administration announced last week that it would deploy a new type of missile defense to Europe. Among all the debate about the politics of the move, there was little exploration over whether the system would actually work. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113005515&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113005515&ft=1&f=5239626 The Obama administration announced last week that it would deploy a new type of missile defense to Europe. Among all the debate about the politics of the move, there was little exploration over whether the system would actually work.

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]]> Sen. Levin Seeks Major Changes In Afghan War Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said Friday he is against sending more troops to Afghanistan, calling first for serious changes in strategy. But Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, is expected to seek more troops. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112760360&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112760360&ft=1&f=5239626 Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said Friday he is against sending more troops to Afghanistan, calling first for serious changes in strategy. But Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, is expected to seek more troops.

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]]> Pentagon Rated Reporters' Work In Afghanistan The Department of Defense hired an outside contractor to track the coverage of journalists reporting on the U.S. military. A military spokeswoman disputes allegations in the <em>Stars and Stripes</em> newspaper that the information has been used to decide whether to embed journalists with troops in Afghanistan. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112311430&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112311430&ft=1&f=5239626 The Department of Defense hired an outside contractor to track the coverage of journalists reporting on the U.S. military. A military spokeswoman disputes allegations in the Stars and Stripes newspaper that the information has been used to decide whether to embed journalists with troops in Afghanistan.

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]]> U.S. Readies Missile Defense Before N. Korea Test A possible North Korean missile test that may be aimed in the direction of Hawaii has prompted the U.S. to deploy missile defense systems. Despite problems and test failures over the years, the Obama administration and the military seem confident that missile defense is up to the task. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:36:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105928945&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105928945&ft=1&f=5239626 A possible North Korean missile test that may be aimed in the direction of Hawaii has prompted the U.S. to deploy missile defense systems. Despite problems and test failures over the years, the Obama administration and the military seem confident that missile defense is up to the task.

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]]> Aging Oil Terminal Vital To Iraq's Economy The bulk of Iraq's crude oil flows through the Al-Basrah Oil Terminal, which makes it the most important cog in the entire Iraqi economy. U.S. and British troops are scheduled to hand over security of the terminal to Iraq forces by December. Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105670955&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105670955&ft=1&f=5239626 The bulk of Iraq's crude oil flows through the Al-Basrah Oil Terminal, which makes it the most important cog in the entire Iraqi economy. U.S. and British troops are scheduled to hand over security of the terminal to Iraq forces by December.

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]]> U.S. Tracking Of N. Korean Ship Poses Challenges The U.S. is tracking a North Korean ship it believes may be carrying contraband materials. A new U.N. Security Council resolution allows the U.S. and its allies to challenge ships on the high seas, but not to board them. Instead, it calls for third-nation ports to search the ships as they enter their ports. It's a diplomatic dance to try and avoid escalating any confrontation into a major conflict. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:18:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105685419&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105685419&ft=1&f=5239626 The U.S. is tracking a North Korean ship it believes may be carrying contraband materials. A new U.N. Security Council resolution allows the U.S. and its allies to challenge ships on the high seas, but not to board them. Instead, it calls for third-nation ports to search the ships as they enter their ports. It's a diplomatic dance to try and avoid escalating any confrontation into a major conflict.

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]]> Baghdad Neighborhood Fears Security Handover U.S. combat forces are due to withdraw from Iraq's cities by the end of the month, turning over responsibility to Iraqi forces. But in some Baghdad neighborhoods, people are not only afraid of insurgents, but also of the Iraqi army. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105339910&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105339910&ft=1&f=5239626 U.S. combat forces are due to withdraw from Iraq's cities by the end of the month, turning over responsibility to Iraqi forces. But in some Baghdad neighborhoods, people are not only afraid of insurgents, but also of the Iraqi army.

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]]> Reporter's Notebook: Diplomatic Reception In Iraq Diplomatic receptions follow a standard playbook: sandwiches with the crusts cut off, canapes, speeches and a lot of chatter. A reception was held recently in the most violent city in Iraq, as a new ambassador tried to feel his way through the treacherous waters of politics in Mosul. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105188983&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105188983&ft=1&f=5239626 Diplomatic receptions follow a standard playbook: sandwiches with the crusts cut off, canapes, speeches and a lot of chatter. A reception was held recently in the most violent city in Iraq, as a new ambassador tried to feel his way through the treacherous waters of politics in Mosul.

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]]> Iraqi Reaction To Obama's Cairo Speech President Obama called for a "new beginning" in relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world in a speech Thursday in Cairo. The speech was translated simultaneously into Arabic. An Iraqi family who watched the speech in Baghdad agreed with Obama that no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104994045&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104994045&ft=1&f=5239626 President Obama called for a "new beginning" in relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world in a speech Thursday in Cairo. The speech was translated simultaneously into Arabic. An Iraqi family who watched the speech in Baghdad agreed with Obama that no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust.

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]]> Corruption Corrodes Iraqi Society Corruption in Iraq is endemic. At every level of society, from the lowest to the highest, bribes and baksheesh are how things get done. While the big numbers at the top get the headlines, like this week's scheduled vote of no-confidence in the Iraqi Trade Minister who is accused of stealing millions, the everyday corruption that ordinary Iraqis must go through is constant. From ID papers and license plates and the traffic police, to doctors in the hospital, just to get basic service, if you want to visit a relative in jail, Iraqis have to pay extra money for just about everything. Mon, 25 May 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104521887&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104521887&ft=1&f=5239626 Corruption in Iraq is endemic. At every level of society, from the lowest to the highest, bribes and baksheesh are how things get done. While the big numbers at the top get the headlines, like this week's scheduled vote of no-confidence in the Iraqi Trade Minister who is accused of stealing millions, the everyday corruption that ordinary Iraqis must go through is constant. From ID papers and license plates and the traffic police, to doctors in the hospital, just to get basic service, if you want to visit a relative in jail, Iraqis have to pay extra money for just about everything.

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]]> Iraqi Trade Ministry Investigated For Corruption For the first time, an Iraqi government minister faces expulsion from his job after being accused of corruption on a massive scale. Wed, 20 May 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104334311&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104334311&ft=1&f=5239626 For the first time, an Iraqi government minister faces expulsion from his job after being accused of corruption on a massive scale.

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]]> 'America's Battalion' Leads Thrust In Afghanistan The Marines known as "America's Battalion" are heading to Afghanistan as part of the 21,000 additional forces President Obama is deploying to bolster the war effort. The mission of these Marines will take them to places American forces have rarely been in southern Afghanistan, the heart of the Taliban militant operations. Wed, 13 May 2009 16:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104034216&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104034216&ft=1&f=5239626 The Marines known as "America's Battalion" are heading to Afghanistan as part of the 21,000 additional forces President Obama is deploying to bolster the war effort. The mission of these Marines will take them to places American forces have rarely been in southern Afghanistan, the heart of the Taliban militant operations.

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]]> Pentagon To Release Next Year's Budget Defense Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to announce his proposal for next year's military budget on Monday. This represents the Obama administration's first chance to change the way the Pentagon spends its billions. Details of the budget remain under wraps. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102774230&ft=1&f=5239626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102774230&ft=1&f=5239626 Defense Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to announce his proposal for next year's military budget on Monday. This represents the Obama administration's first chance to change the way the Pentagon spends its billions. Details of the budget remain under wraps.

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