In the first part of this analysis of the Afghan rug industry we examined the historical background behind the production of carpets in Afghanistan, and the factors that led to the weaving of war rugs. Part two focuses on how the industry is developing today and what the future may…
This week, nearly 800 classified internal Guantanamo documents were leaked by Wikileaks. The documents provide a candid view into the internal evaluations of Guantanamo detainees. Aaron Moser and Alan Zhao take a look at one in particular. (download mp3)
Last month, Raymond Davis, a CIA contract worker was released from a Pakistani prison after being charged with double homicide and spending nearly 3 months in captivity. Though the US government argued that Davis should have been released because he was an embassy employee with diplomatic immunity, his release was…
Almost 10 years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, the US government has still not tried the men they say plotted the attack. Trials might start soon, but not in the way many expected. Sam Hirshman has more on the Obama Administration’s change in policy. (download mp3)
A 2010 report by the US geological survey and the Pentagon reported that Afghanistan may contain nearly 1 trillion dollars worth of untapped mineral deposits. This mineral wealth has the potential to transform the country, and foreign investors are eager to exploit this investment opportunity. Caroline Batten has more on…
In an exclusive two-part interview, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter David Rohde and his wife Kristen Mulvihill came to War News Radio to tell the story of his 2008 kidnapping at the hands of the Taliban, and to talk about the new book they wrote together: “A Rope and…
Gary Mortensen’s 2007 film, This is War: Memories of Iraq, was critically acclaimed for focusing on the soldiers’ perspectives. Director Mortensen’s new documentary, Shepherds of Helmand, uses this same approach to tell the story of a Oregonian National Guard unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. With producer Alan Zhao, Jared…
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR. (mp3) Over the past few months a wave of protests has been sweeping across Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and many other Middle Eastern countries. Iraqis – who may have been inspired by their Arab neighbors – have intensified their demands for government reform, better public services and…
Local Residents Observing Paving of Kabul-Kandahar Road. (USAID photo) (mp3) The Central Asia Development Group is a non-governmental organization that uses funding from USAID and other sources to carry out development projects across Afghanistan. Jason Thomas served as a regional manager for the organization and describes his experiences that were…
Thousands of people fly back and forth in the Boeing company’s commercial airliners every day. What these thousands may not know is that the Pentagon spends billions of dollars on government contracts with Boeing. The company provides the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, US allies and more with products and…