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Ivan Watson Ivan Watson is currently based in Istanbul, Turkey. Following the 9-11 terrorist attacks, he has contributed to NPR's coverage of Central Asia and the Middle East. During the Afghan War, Watson "stormed" Kabul along with the Northern Alliance the morning after the withdrawal of the Taliban. After reporting for nearly a year on post-Taliban Afghanistan, Watson then joined NPR's award-winning team coverage of the Iraq War. He embedded with the Kurds of Northern Iraq at the height of the conflict. Since Saddam Hussein's overthrow, Watson has documented the troubled U.S. occupation and the bloody rise of the Iraqi insurgency.
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Ivan Watson

Story Archive

Tuesday

World

Iraq Forces Agreement Ends Contractor Immunity

Security companies are the most visible symbol of the booming private contractor industry that has accompanied America's five-year occupation of Iraq. But the new Iraqi-American security pact going into effect in January will end the immunity from prosecution in Iraq the companies have enjoyed.

Iraq Forces Agreement Ends Contractor Immunity

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Thursday

Reporter's Notebook

Test-Driving A Hummer H3, In Baghdad

The American Hummer, made known to Iraqis through U.S. military operations, is now being advertised and sold as a status symbol to young, wealthy Iraqis. NPR's Ivan Watson test-drove an H3 on the streets of Baghdad and picked up compliments along the way.

Test-Driving A Hummer H3, In Baghdad

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Monday

World

Blast Punctuates NPR's Story On Baghdad Security

Security in Baghdad has improved a lot during the past year, but residents of the Iraqi capital still live with the constant fear of assassinations and bombings. A team from NPR's Baghdad bureau was reminded of that on a reporting assignment Sunday when their armored BMW was destroyed by a car bomb.

Ivan Watson reports on the neighborhood and bombing on 'Morning Edition'

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Thursday

The Impact of War

Iraqi Parliament OKs U.S. Security Agreement

The pact calls for the gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq over the next three years. Although the accord won easy approval, voting was almost postponed because of disputes between Iraq's many rival political factions.

Iraqi Parliament OKs U.S. Security Agreement

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Wednesday

World

Iraqis To Vote On SOFA Agreement

The Iraqi legislature is expected to vote on the Status of Forces Agreement that would withdraw coalition troops by Dec. 31, 2011. But opponents to the agreement, including Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr say there are flaws in the agreement.

Iraqis To Vote On SOFA Agreement

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Russia, Georgia Fight Over Breakaway Region

Damaged Bridges Separate Georgians, Russians

Bridges connecting Georgian and Russian-controlled territory have been damaged, forcing residents to ford the icy river in carts or by foot. Some Western diplomats say the disappearance of the bridges fits with Moscow's broader strategy of cutting the region's links to the rest of Georgia.

Damaged Bridges Separate Georgians, Russians

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Tuesday

World

Devastated Georgia Begins To Rebuild After War

Three months after the armies of Russia and Georgia clashed in the breakaway region of South Ossetia, Georgians are beginning to come to terms with their disastrous military defeat. Reconstruction projects are under way, but Georgians remain uneasy.

Devastated Georgia Begins To Rebuild After War

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Monday

World

U.S. Forces In Iraq Release Iranian Suspect

Iraqi officials announced the release over the weekend of an Iranian man who was arrested by U.S. forces. The U.S. military had accused the suspect of being an Iranian intelligence agent smuggling weapons into Iraq.

U.S. Forces In Iraq Release Iranian Suspect

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Friday

World

Sadr's Supporters Protest Iraq Security Agreement

Thousands of Iraqis gathered Friday at a central square in Baghdad to demonstrate against a security agreement that would keep U.S. forces in Iraq for another three years. The protesters are supporters of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who opposes the accord. Iraqi lawmakers are scheduled to vote on the agreement Monday.

Sadr's Supporters Protest Iraq Security Agreement

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Wednesday

World

Fight Breaks Out As Iraqi Lawmakers Debate Pact

Tempers flared in Iraq's parliament hall Wednesday as lawmakers debated whether to ratify a new security agreement with the United States — one that calls for the withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011.

Fight Breaks Out As Iraqi Lawmakers Debate Pact

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Tuesday

Russia, Georgia Fight Over Breakaway Region

New Details Surface About Georgia-Russia War

In the three months since the conflict between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway province of South Ossetia, details have come to light about how and why Georgia ended up going head-to-head against the much larger Russian army.

New Details Surface About Georgia-Russia War

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Monday

World

U.S. Troops In Iraq Until End Of 2011?

Iraq's parliament could vote as early as this week on a security pact with the United States that would allow American forces to remain there for three more years. The Iraqis overwhelmingly approved the deal Sunday.

U.S. Troops In Iraq Until End Of 2011?

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Sunday

Wednesday

World

Turkish Military Leaders Under Fire For Scandals

Generals have been publicly criticized for their handling of the conflict with Kurd separatists, and at least three former officials have been accused of ties to a group accused of plotting to overthrow the government. The army has long been considered a sacred institution.

Turkish Military Leaders Under Fire For Scandals

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Tuesday

Friday

The Impact of War

From The Iraq War, A Troubled Romance In America

A former U.S. Marine and his Iraqi wife, who met when she worked as a translator in Fallujah, are struggling to adjust to married life and raise a family in America. And their future is anything but certain.

From The Iraq War, A Troubled Romance In America

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Monday

World

Authorities Struggle To Thwart Pirates' Plundering

The highly trafficked waterway between Yemen and Somalia has seen a spike in violent hijackings by pirates in recent years. Increased patrols by the U.S. and Russian navies have done little to make the waters safer.

Authorities Struggle To Thwart Pirates' Plundering

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World

Embassy Attack Marks Rise Of Al-Qaida In Yemen

The attack on the U.S. embassy in Yemen earlier this month killed 17, including one American. The bombing by al-Qaida in Yemen marks a resurgence of militant violence in the nation, which has complex ties to Islamist militancy.

Embassy Attack Marks Rise Of Al-Qaida In Yemen

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Thursday

World

Ornate Yemeni Knives Mark Status, Masculinity

Known as "jambiya," the knives can cost hundreds of dollars or more, and are handcrafted by artisans with a long history of knife-making. They are the ultimate status symbol in the Arab nation.

Ornate Yemeni Knives Mark Status, Masculinity

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Thursday

World

Dozens Detained After Embassy Bombing In Yemen

Yemeni officials say 17 people were killed in the attack on the U.S. embassy in the capital, San'a, on Wednesday. One of the victims was an 18-year-old American woman.

Dozens Detained After Embassy Bombing In Yemen

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World

Embassy Attack Puts New Focus On Yemen

Twisted metal, bits of human flesh and burned out cars littered the street outside the U.S. Embassy in San'a a day after attackers mounted a coordinated frontal assault on the heavily fortified compound. Sixteen people died, including four civilian bystanders.

NPR's Ivan Watson talks with Steve Inskeep about the embassy attack on 'Morning Edition'

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World

U.S. Embassy In Yemen Attacked

Authorities in Yemen have been arresting suspects after an attack Wednesday on the U.S. embassy in the capital San'a. Two suicide car bombs set off a series of explosions outside the embassy.

NPR's Ivan Watson talks with Steve Inskeep about the embassy attack on 'Morning Edition'

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