Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'baghdad'

U.S. Hands Control Of Green Zone To Iraqi Forces

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:35:00 EST

Iraqi leaders celebrated Thursday as the new security agreement with the U.S. went into effect. Now, American forces are operating under Iraqi authority. Separately, three Iraqi policemen were killed in the city of Mosul, underlining the security challenges that remain. In Baghdad's Green Zone, the U.S. formally handed over control to Iraqi forces.

Loooking Forward To The New Year In Iraq

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST

Army Capt. Nate Rawlings has been sharing his experiences in Iraq with NPR over the last year. Madeleine Brand speaks with Rawlings about how he celebrated the new year in Baghdad and what 2009 may bring for United States soldiers in Iraq.

New Year's Day Marks Milestone In Iraq

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:05:00 EST

The U.S. formally handed over control of the Green Zone in Baghdad. Since 2003, U.S. forces have operated under a United Nation's Security Council resolution. But that expired at midnight on New Year's Eve, and now American troops are operating under the authority of the Iraqi government. NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro talks with Steve Inskeep about the handover.

Celebrating Christmas In Iraq

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

For the first time, Christmas has been declared a national holiday in Iraq. Celebrations are tempered with the knowledge that violence can erupt at anytime. And as a reminder, a deadly car bomb exploded in Baghdad on Christmas Day.

NPR Iraq Staff Among Those Seeking Refuge In U.S.

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:01:00 EST

A law passed in the U.S. earlier this year allows Iraqis working for American companies to apply for refugee status if they've been attacked or threatened. Many Iraqi staffers at NPR's Baghdad bureau are applying — and some are now very close to heading to the U.S. for the first time.

You Too Can Throw A Shoe At President Bush

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:40:00 EST

President Bush's quick reflexes spared him getting hit by a shoe hurled at him in Baghdad. But shoe throwers around the world can take their turn at the president's likeness. In a new online game called Sock and Awe, players aim a brown topsider at a ducking President Bush. It's much like a carnival game with a moving target, with the President's face popping up from behind a wide podium. Players earn a point for every shoe that makes a direct hit.

Journalist's Size 10 Fits Commedians' Punch Lines

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:26:00 EST

Comedians can't seem to get enough of that shoe-throwing incident in Iraq. President Bush was shown over-and-over ducking the shoes thrown by an Iraqi reporter during a Baghdad news conference. David Letterman joked that Bush "hasn't dodged anything like that since, well, the Vietnam War." Jay Leno wanted to know where was the Secret Service. He asked, shouldn't they have "at least jumped in front of the second shoe."

Shoe Journalist's Arrest Sparks Iraq Protests

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:42:00 EST

Several thousand people demonstrated in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities to demand the release of the Iraqi TV reporter who hurled his shoes at President Bush. Muntadhar al-Zeidi was arrested after Sunday's incident and charges may be filed against him.

In Surprise Visit, Bush Praises Progress In Iraq

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:54:00 EST

President Bush made one last visit to Iraq as president on Sunday. There was much pomp and circumstance, and talk of America's support for and friendship with the Iraqis — until an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the president. Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, NPR's Baghdad bureau chief, talks to host Jacki Lyden about President Bush's visit to Iraq on Sunday.

Report Details Iraq Reconstruction Woes

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:02:00 EST

An official American history describes big problems with the reconstruction of Iraq — from inflated numbers of Iraqi security forces to costs underestimated by the billions. The New York Times' James Glanz, in Baghdad, talks to Jacki Lyden about a draft of the report that's circulating in Washington and Baghdad.

Bush Makes Surprise Visit To Baghdad

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST

White House officials said the president plans to meet with Iraqi leaders and take one final opportunity to thank American troops for their service.

South Asians Left Jobless, Homeless In Iraq

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:02:00 EST

Tens of thousands of poor South Asians have made their way to Iraq since the U.S. invasion, in hopes of making money to send home to their families. But the system that gets them to Baghdad is riddled with corruption and exploitation.

Indictments Unsealed In Blackwater Shooting Case

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Blackwater Worldwide security guards have been charged with killing 17 people at a Baghdad traffic circle. In indictments unveiled Monday, five are being charged with 14 counts of manslaughter and other charges.

Blackwater Guards Indicted In 2007 Shootings

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:14:00 EST

Blackwater Worldwide security guards opened machine gun fire on innocent, surrendering Iraqis and launched a grenade into a girls' school during a gruesome Baghdad shooting last year, prosecutors said Monday in announcing manslaughter charges against five guards.

Blackwater Guards Charged With Manslaughter

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:57:00 EST

Five American security guards charged in connection with the shooting deaths of 14 civilians in Baghdad last year surrendered to federal agents in Utah on Monday.

Blackwater Guards Indicted For Iraq Deaths

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:38:00 EST

Five Blackwater Worldwide security guards were indicted and a sixth is in plea negotiations with prosecutors for a 2007 shooting in Baghdad. The shooting killed 17 Iraqis.

Test-Driving A Hummer H3, In Baghdad

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:39:00 EST

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.

NPR Baghdad Reporter: Violence Up In Iraq

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:14:00 EST

NPR's Ivan Watson, who had a close call Sunday when his car was targeted by a bomb, says there has been an increase in violence in the Iraqi capital. He says in November alone, there were 108 bombings in the city with a civilian death toll of 148.

NPR Journalists Survive Car Bombing

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

On Sunday, NPR journalists in Baghdad were the targets of a car bombing. No one was hurt, but the experience was harrowing. Reporter Ivan Watson, who stood yards away, talks to Andrea Seabrook about the attack.

NPR Journalists' Car Bombed

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:23:00 EST

A team of NPR journalists narrowly survived an apparent assassination attempt in Baghdad on Sunday. The attack took place during a reporting trip to western Baghdad's battle-scarred Rabiye Street.

Iraq Approves U.S. Security Pact

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:56:38 EST

The Iraqi parliament passes a security pact that allows American troops to stay in the region for an additional three years. The accord was endorsed after the ruling coalition reached an understanding on a separate measure with opposition lawmakers. NPR's Ivan Watson gives Steve Inskeep an update from Baghdad.

Cleric Supporters Protest Security Agreement

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

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

Despite Obama Win, Change Will Come Slowly To Iraq

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:45:00 EST

Support for Barack Obama is strong among many in Iraq, but Iraqi and American officials agree that the situation in the country will not suddenly change. Word of Obama's win became a prime topic of conversation in Baghdad's markets.

A Voter Registration Mission In Baghdad

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Sgt. Asa Rubman is a paralegal serving with the armed forces in Iraq — and he's organized a get-out-the-vote drive on his base in southern Baghdad. Capt. Nate Rawlings, a regular Day To Day contributor, tells us about Sgt. Rubman.

Essay: Soldier Inspires Voters On U.S. Base In Iraq

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Sgt. Asa Rubman, a paralegal, set up a voting drive in the dining room at his military base in Baghdad. Over the course of five days, nearly 600 soldiers, airmen and contractors cast absentee ballots — many for the first time.