Bulldozing Through Kandahar Global Post - November 10, 2010 - Using explosives and bulldozers, the US military has leveled hundreds of homes, farm buildings and trees. Local Afghans are not happy.
Success in Kandahar? Global Post - October 20, 2010 - A major military operation involving hundreds of American troops, U.S. Special Forces and heavy bombers dropping 2,000-pound bombs on Taliban command and control centers wrapped up last week, concluding a critical phase in the campaign to oust the Taliban from Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province. But no journalists were there to witness the operation.
Militants target police base, killing 3 Americans Global Post - July 14, 2010 - Three American soldiers died last night in an attack on a base in Kandahar City. They were among the eight killed in the last 24 hours in Afghanistan, putting July on track to be as violent a month as June, the deadliest month in the country since the Afghan war began in 2001.
Afghans leading everywhere but on the ground Global Post - August 13, 2010 - Every day, journalists reporting on the Afghanistan War are assaulted by news of “Afghan-led” operations by the coalition’s press office. Today is no exception. I receive at least two, sometime four or five press releases per day about similar “Afghan-led” achievements. NATO officers and coalition officials constantly lace their language with the phrase. “Afghan-led” is everywhere. Except on the ground.
Afghanistan: the new strategy Global Post - August 16, 2010 - Military commanders discuss the revised war strategy being used in southern Kandahar.
To ask or tell or not, the troops weigh in Global Post - October 14, 2010 - Judge's halt to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy sparks debate in the field.
A soldier’s return from “IED Lane” Global Post - July 9, 2010 - Blog Post
US military police train their Afghan civilian counterparts BBC/PRI's The World - October 26, 2010
US Army Patrol Ambushed in Eastern Afghanistan BBC / PRI's The World - Radio Link with Transcript
In Marjah, US forces battle for hearts and minds Global Post - August 1, 2010
A very long engagement Global Post - May 30, 2010 - The majority of soldiers in Iraq go home after one or two deployments. A handful stay.
Combat doctors treat Afghans, NATO troops at Kandahar trauma center BBC/PRI's The World - August, 2009
In Afghanistan, supplying US military is big business Global Post - August 29, 2010
Iraqis divided on joint security Global Post - March 28, 2010 - In Iraq, it helps to know your friends from your enemies, especially if you're working side by side with them.
Iraq's north locked in own bitter struggle Global Post - May 30, 2010
Iraq: breaking up is never easy Global Post - May 30, 2010 - The "deconstruction" or Iraq continues apace. But where does all that stuff go?
US Forces Ambushed in Paktika Province Global Post - July 7, 2010
First signs of strain in Kandahar offensive Global Post - June 20, 2010
Amid the confusion over the latest US-led mission, body bags provide a sobering certainty.
Troops wonder what McChrystal was thinking Global Post - June 25, 2010
Looks, sounds and smells like Afghanistan... How the Indiana National Guard prepares contractors for the real thing Global Post - August 4, 2010
Iraqi election results announced BBC/PRI's The World - March 8, 2014
Joint patrols in northern Iraq BBC/PRI's The World - March 22, 2010 - Despite this month's parliamentary elections and the drop in violence this month in Iraq, the northern part of the country remains divided among competing ethnic groups. Ben Gilbert reports that US forces there have organized joint patrols to get the rival groups to work together.
Violence hits Baghdad on first day of parliamentary elections BBC/PRI's The World - March 6, 2010 - Early voting started today for Iraq's parliamentary elections. Most Iraqis go to the polls Sunday. Today was a chance for those who work on Sunday, mostly police and the military, to cast their ballots. Unfortunately, the start of voting was met by violence. At least 17 people died after suicide bombers targeted polling stations in Baghdad today. Violence was widely expected before these elections. Now there's concern that the attacks will keep voter turnout low on Sunday. Ben Gilbert is embedded with the U.S. Embassy Election Observer Team in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, and has this report.
Iraq's election surprise BBC / PRI's The world - March 29, 2010 - Ben Gilbert reports on the political wrangling in Iraq, following election results that came out last week. The two major winners were blocks belonging to the current Prime Minister and the former Prime Minister. But neither won enough seats to form a government.
Kirkuk plays key role in Iraqi elections BBC/PRI's The World - March 5, 2010 - Iraq holds a key Parliamentary vote on Sunday. The outcome will determine who controls the government in Baghdad as U.S. troops continue to prepare for withdrawal. Militants have tried to derail the run up to the vote with several deadly attacks and there could be more violence this weekend. But today, voting began for Iraqis living outside the country. Turnout was reported to be high among the many Sunni Iraqis now in Syria and Jordan. Sunni Arabs enjoyed a privileged status under Saddam Hussein. Other groups resented that. Since the war Shiites and Kurds have dominated at the ballot box and the Sunnis resent that. The northern city of Kirkuk sits right on the fault line that divides Iraq's many religious and ethnic groups. Ben Gilbert reports on what Sunday's vote looks like from there.
Training the Afghan armed forces BBC/PRI's The World - November 30, 2010
Meet the men who help U.S. and NATO troops communicate their aims in Afghanistan Global Post July 4, 2010
Afghanistan's Hurt Locker: Alienating locals Global Post - February 10, 2010 - On Afghanistan's Highway One, the US military strategy to prevent roadside bombs is killing civilians
Afghanistan's Hurt Locker: Facing off with IEDs Global Post - February 10, 2010 - Editor's note: Afghanistan's Hurt Locker is a three-part series on the U.S. military's efforts to combat increasingly deadly roadside bombs in Afghanistan. It examines the history of IED attacks, follows the work of a unit tasked with locating the bombs and looks at the unintended consequences of the U.S. strategy.
Afghanistan's Hurt Locker: Defeat the device Global Post - May 30, 2010 - The soldiers in Task Force Thor have one of the most dangerous — and boring — jobs in southern Afghanistan: looking for improvised explosive devices on the roads.
Afghan translators take risks to help US Global Post - April 7, 2010
Recent Kandahar operation called success, but no international press witnessed it Global Post - October 20, 2010
Christmas in Afghanistan BBC/PRI's The World - December 24, 2009
Training Afghan Troops in Kandahar BBC/PRI's The World - December, 2009
On the road with 'Dog Company' in Kandahar Global Post - December 17, 2009
Afghanistan's wild wild west Global Post - May 30, 2010 - Welcome to the “Heart of Darkness,” where the militants rule and most Afghans are stuck between the Taliban and U.S. troops.
Reactions To Obama's Afghan Surge Vary On The Ground Global Post - December 3, 2009
The politics behind Lebanon's big hash bust Global Post - October 18, 2009 - There's more to the recent clean out of drug gangs and the destruction of their hash crop in the lawless Bekaa Valley than meets the eye.
Lebanon's Bernie Madoff Global Post - September 20, 2009 - A wealthy businessman with close ties to Hezbollah has been charged with stealing millions in a Ponzi scheme.
UAE deportations raise questions in Lebanon Global Post - November 21, 2009 - As more than 200 Lebanese await answers over why they were ejected from the U.A.E., experts point to paranoia in Gulf nations over Iran.
Beirut’s synagogue reconstruction kicks off Global Post - July 31, 2009 - Construction could spell a new beginning for Lebanon’s underground Jewish community.
Syria-Saudi ties improve Global Post - July 23, 2009 - After a three-year freeze-out by Riyadh, Damascus finds itself back in favor. Why now?
Lebanese find alleged Israeli spies in their midst Global Post - July 10, 2009 - Cooperation between Lebanese security agencies and Hezbollah leads to a number of arrests.
Key players in Lebanon's future take their place Global Post - June 30, 2009 - Another Hariri is named Prime Minister, two crucial posts are filled and minimal — though worrying — violence is quelled.
Going rate for a vote in Lebanon? $700 Global Post - June 2, 2009 - In a close race, those contesting the June 7 parliamentary elections are pulling out their checkbooks.
Lebanon's political season kicks off Global Post - April 13, 2009 - A polarized electorate will determine Lebanon’s future in a volatile region.
Lebanon builds on its ancient past ... literally Global Post - January 8, 2009 - Beirut is struggling to preserve a rich Roman heritage found on its many construction sites.
Lebanon's basketball addiction Global Post - April 18, 2009 - How one group brings kids together from the divided neighborhoods of Beirut to shoot hoops.
Out of the closet, into the fire Global Post - June 25, 2009 - Lebanon is gay-friendly by standards in the Arab world, but that's not saying much.
Lebanon's ruling coalition wins unexpected victory Global Post - June 8, 2009 - US-backed March 14 holds on to parliamentary majority, defeating Hezbollah.
Search for justice in Hariri case Global Post - May 17, 2009 - Why an international tribunal released the only four people being held over the 2005 killing and what it means for Lebanese politics.
Nahr al Bared - Palestinian residents go from displaced to homeless Global Post - May 29, 2009 - Palestinian refugees displaced by a battle in their camp in northern Lebanon are still waiting, two years on, for the rebuilding of their "temporary" home.
Financial crisis sends Lebanese packing ... for home Global Post - April 3, 2009 - They leave behind high-rolling lifestyles, and remittances their tiny country has come to depend on.
Market unites Beiruti farmers — and foodies Global Post - February 25, 2009 - After conflict, one man sought to celebrate Lebanon's diversity.
Life behind bars becomes theatre Global Post - March 25, 2009 - Lebanese prisoners are staging a version of "12 Angry Men," some to draw attention to unjust treatment and harsh conditions, others as therapy.
Banned Israeli film draws a crowd in Beirut Global Post - March 11, 2009
Lebanon bankers cool in a crisis Global Post - February 14, 2009 - As the world's biggest economies wilt, prudent accounting has served a tiny country well.
Dreams of return buried in Gaza rubble Global Post - January 22, 2009 - In Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps, hopelessness sets in.