Accessibility links

Iraq NPR's ongoing coverage of the Iraq War's effects abroad and on the home front. Stories of soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, veterans and their families. Iraq's effects on politics, society, and diplomacy. Photos, audio and commentary. Subscribe to the Iraq RSS feed.

Iraq

Bush Critic Back in Baghdad to Lead Reconstruction

In 2003, Timothy Carney went to Baghdad to run the Ministry of Industry and Minerals. He left after just two months on the job, returning highly critical of the Bush administration's tactics in Iraq. Earlier this year, he was called to return and oversee reconstruction efforts as Coordinator for Economic Transition in Iraq.

Bush Critic Back in Baghdad to Lead Reconstruction

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7648717/7648718" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Interviews

ABC's Bob Woodruff Writes of Iraq Injury Recovery

Fresh Air

ABC news correspondent and former anchor Bob Woodruff was nearly killed by a roadside bomb on Jan. 29, 2006, in Iraq. He suffered a severe brain injury and was in a coma for more than a month. He and his wife, Lee, have written a new memoir about his recovery.

ABC's Bob Woodruff Writes of Iraq Injury Recovery

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7641619/7641622" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Interviews

Hamilton: Move Toward Iran Talks a 'Positive' Step

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. will enter Iraqi-sponsored talks with Iran and Syria. Former Rep. Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, calls it "a positive and a constructive" first step toward opening communications with Iran.

Hamilton: Move Toward Iran Talks a 'Positive' Step

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7638038/7638039" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Carney Finds New Role: Reconstructing Iraq

Ambassador Tim Carney left Iraq three years ago, angry that the Bush administration had made policy there without consulting Iraqis. Surprising Carney and many others, President Bush asked that he return as an economic coordinator.

Carney Finds New Role: Reconstructing Iraq

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7638018/7638019" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Marine in Military Court for Iraqi Civilian Killing

A Marine sergeant charged with overseeing the killing of an Iraqi father of 11 faces a second day in military court at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins was the leader of a squad accused of carrying out the killing.

Marine in Military Court for Iraqi Civilian Killing

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7638010/7638011" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

U.S. Spy Chief: Iraq Living Up to Promises, So Far

U.S. spy chief Mike McConnell says that so far, Iraq's government is living up to its commitment to try to turn around the security situation there. But, McConnell added, there's still a long way to go before Iraqi security forces will be able to control the country. McConnell testified before the Senate Armed Services committee.

U.S. Spy Chief: Iraq Living Up to Promises, So Far

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7626843/7626844" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Iraq's New Oil Law May Affect World Markets

The new oil law that Iraq's Cabinet approved Monday declares that oil revenue will be shared among the provinces or regions based on population, a key concern for Sunnis. But the legislation would also have big implications for oil companies around the world.

Iraq's New Oil Law May Affect World Markets

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7626831/7626832" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sadr City Poses Unique Challenge in Security Push

The U.S. military says troops arrested 16 militiamen it describes as rogue elements of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. The raid took place in Sadr City, the sprawling Baghdad slum likely to present the most sensitive challenge for U.S. and Iraqi troops.

Sadr City Poses Unique Challenge in Security Push

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7626828/7626829" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Analysis

Iraqis Hard at Work on Oil-Regulation Laws

Iraqi lawmakers have produced a draft measure that would regulate Iraq's oil industry. Yet to come is a plan to divide the revenue from the nation's major resource, which could fund as much as 80 percent of Iraq's national budget.

Iraqis Hard at Work on Oil-Regulation Laws

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7615655/7615656" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Powerful Gunships Prowl Iraq, and Limits Show

The AC-130 — known as "Spectre" or the newer "Spooky" — is the modern version of the old "Puff the Magic Dragon" gunship that was flown in Vietnam. In essence, the turboprop-driven craft is a flying battleship, a converted C-130 cargo plane with numerous Gatling and mini-guns; some even have a howitzer on board.

Powerful Gunships Prowl Iraq, and Limits Show

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7608428/7608432" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Efforts to Coordinate Spy Activities Difficult, Slow

The National Clandestine Service was created after Sept. 11 to coordinate U.S. spying activity. It's too soon to evaluate whether the changes are working, but territoriality between the Pentagon and the CIA continues to trouble reformers. Observers say it could take five to 10 years to see results.

Efforts to Coordinate Spy Activities Difficult, Slow

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7604161/7605607" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Bomb Explodes Near Iraqi Vice President

A bomb exploded at a Baghdad municipal building where Adel Abdul-Mahdi, one of two men to hold the post of vice president in Iraq, was speaking Monday. At least 10 people were killed; the vice president was knocked down by the blast, but survived.

Bomb Explodes Near Iraqi Vice President

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7602145/7602146" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Teens, Children Aiding Iraqi Insurgents

U.S. troops in Ramadi and nearby Fallujah find themselves detaining many Iraqi teens — and even younger children — who are being recruited for insurgent activities. Many may have lost their fathers or others in the ongoing conflict.

Teens, Children Aiding Iraqi Insurgents

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7599096/7599097" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Analysis

Sizing Up the Situation in Basra

British troops preparing to depart Basra in southern Iraq say the Iraqi army is well trained, but they remain concerned about the quality and capability of local police. Power has shifted to local militias.

Sizing Up the Situation in Basra

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7584961/7584962" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript