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The Impact of War NPR news and stories about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Interviews with soldiers, world leaders, veterans, and families on the home front. Read and listen to stories and subscribe to RSS feeds.
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The Impact of War

Dad's Message Recorded At War, A Gift Given Decades Later

Margaret Ann Wolf Harris with her mother and father, who was home on furlough. He died in World War II a short time later. Courtesy of Margaret Ann Wolf Harris hide caption

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Courtesy of Margaret Ann Wolf Harris

Dad's Message Recorded At War, A Gift Given Decades Later

Sgt. Cody Wolf died in World War II on Jan. 11, 1944, when his plane was shot down. Weeks before his death, he contributed to a Christmas broadcast recorded on the front lines. His daughter, Margaret Ann Wolf Harris, heard that recording for the first time in December.

Dad's Message Recorded At War, A Gift Given Decades Later

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Texas Man Becomes Unlikely CFO Of Ragged Kabul Orphanage

Conditions are spare at the Window of Hope orphanage in Kabul, but American NGO worker Siavash Rahbari (upper left) says it's still better than how many Afghan children live. Sean Carberry/NPR hide caption

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Texas Man Becomes Unlikely CFO Of Ragged Kabul Orphanage

After decades of war in Afghanistan, the country has thousands of orphans. One home for these children ended up with an improbable benefactor — an Iranian-American who came to Kabul to do rule of law development work, and stumbled into a side project working with disabled orphans.

Texas Man Becomes Unlikely CFO Of Ragged Kabul Orphanage

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Syria's War Creates A Demand For Artificial Legs

A staff member at the clinic in southern Turkey works on a prosthetic leg that will be given to a victim of Syria's civil war. Deborah Amos/NPR hide caption

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Deborah Amos/NPR

Parallels

Syria's War Creates A Demand For Artificial Legs

Before Syria's civil war, there was no real need for a clinic that could teach the disabled how to walk on artificial legs. Now there's huge demand, not only for the legs, but also for training.

Syria's War Creates A Demand For Artificial Legs

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2001 Army-Navy Game Marked By Specter Of Sept. 11

Navy players await the start of their annual game against Army, on Dec. 1, 2001. AP hide caption

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AP

2001 Army-Navy Game Marked By Specter Of Sept. 11

The players that year faced a sobering new reality: The nation was at war, and they'd soon leave the football field behind for the battlefield. In All American, author Steve Eubanks recalls that game through the eyes of two players — Army quarterback Chad Jenkins and Navy linebacker Brian Stann.

2001 Army-Navy Game Marked By Specter Of Sept. 11

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Child Miners, Dinosaurs, And The Rulings Of 'Judge' John Hodgman

John Hodgman, left, presides over a live taping of the Judge John Hodgman podcast, as Jesse Thorn looks on. Liezl Estipona/Courtesy of Maximum Fun hide caption

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Liezl Estipona/Courtesy of Maximum Fun

Weekends On All Things Considered Podcast

Child Miners, Dinosaurs, And The Rulings Of 'Judge' John Hodgman

This week on the podcast edition of All Things Considered, host Arun Rath explores the bar and restaurant business with a master, hears from a reporter who unearthed tragedy in Iraq, and learns about Boston's bold plan to eliminate the gender wage gap.

Child Miners, Dinosaurs, And The Rulings Of 'Judge' John Hodgman

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In 'Fire And Forget,' Vets Turned Writers Tell Their War Stories

U.S. Army soldiers begin their journey home from Iraq on July 13, 2010. Maya Alleruzzo/AP hide caption

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In 'Fire And Forget,' Vets Turned Writers Tell Their War Stories

Fresh Air

Roy Scranton and Jacob Siegel edited and contributed to the collection of short stories by veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They tell Fresh Air about how soldiers cope with the fear of death, and why many soldiers feel conflicted about sharing their experience with a larger audience.

In 'Fire And Forget,' Vets Turned Writers Tell Their War Stories

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Military Women Combat Challenges in Service

For women in the military, serving can present its own set of challenges, especially when they have to balance duty to their county and duties at home. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with two women veterans, Graciela Tiscareño-Sato and Miyoko Hikiji, about their devotion to helping other military women and veterans navigate those challenges.

Military Women Combat Challenges in Service

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Afghanistan Vet Who Criticized Superiors Awarded Medal Of Honor

President Obama presented the Medal of Honor Tuesday to Army Capt. William Swenson. Swenson is being cited for his actions during a 2009 battle in Afghanistan, when he risked his life to try to save others. It's taken years for him to be recognized, however. He criticized higher-ups after the battle, which cost the lives of five Americans. Swenson's nomination for the Medal was said to be lost at one point. He is the sixth living recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest honor a member of the military can receive.

Afghanistan Vet Who Criticized Superiors Awarded Medal Of Honor

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Ms. Veteran America Uses Title To Talk About Sexual Violence

Ms. Veteran America Denyse Gordon's knowledge of military history helped her win the crown. Amy Ta/NPR hide caption

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Ms. Veteran America Uses Title To Talk About Sexual Violence

After Air Force reservist Denyse Gordon won the Ms. Veteran America contest in 2012, she found the courage to talk publicly about her experiences with sexual trauma in the military. She says she knew that to make every veteran proud, she needed to be transparent, and hopes to help others with her story.

Ms. Veteran America Uses Title To Talk About Sexual Violence

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'Thank You For Your Service' Follows America's Soldiers Home

The Week's Best Stories From NPR Books

'Thank You For Your Service' Follows America's Soldiers Home

Journalist David Finkel embedded with the 2-16 Infantry Battalion during the troop surge in Iraq, then recorded their stories in his first book, The Good Soldiers. Now, his new book chronicles the struggles of those who made it home, from their recurring nightmares and suicidal thoughts to the challenges of getting help.

'Thank You For Your Service' Follows America's Soldiers Home

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Constituent Mailbag: A Deluge Of Opposition To Syria Strikes

Protesters against U.S. military action in Syria march to Capitol Hill from the White House on Saturday. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

It's All Politics

Constituent Mailbag: A Deluge Of Opposition To Syria Strikes

Calls and emails to congressional offices have been close to unanimously negative. The latest polls show solid majorities of Americans opposed. With feelings running so high, many politicians are wary of offering support for military strikes on Syria.

Republicans Divided Over Potential Strike On Syria

Republican congressional leaders support an American military strike in Syria, but the rank-and-file membership is divided. GOP Congressmen Doug Collins of Georgia and Luke Messer of Indiana serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. They talk about the debate in the Republican caucus.

Republicans Divided Over Potential Strike On Syria

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