Afghanistan

Liberia: America's Original Self-Deportation Scheme

Producer — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:29:13 +0000

In the decades leading up to the civil war, white Americans uncomfortable with the rising numbers of free blacks came up with a plan. Get rid of them. Specifically, convince them to resettle in Liberia. It was America's original "self-deportation" scheme. But things didn't go exactly according to plan.

List of stories from KUOW Presents, May 15:

The Interfaith Amigos On Death And Afterlife

PRODUCER — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Death is something we all grapple with. What do the world's major religions teach? The Interfaith Amigos join us with a look at what religion has to say about mortality and the afterlife.

Future Of U.S. Troops Looms Over Afghan Leader's Visit

Jackie Northam — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:49:00 +0000

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in Washington this week for meetings with President Obama and other senior administration officials. The talks are expected to help set the framework for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan after the bulk of American and NATO forces leave at the end of 2014. One of the key issues to be discussed is the number of American troops to remain in Afghanistan after that date.

Obama and Karzai have met several times in the past, but not always on the best of terms.

The Risks Of Reporting From Syria

Steve Scher — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 28 reporters have been killed Syria this year — making it one of the most dangerous places on earth for the media to cover. What makes reporting from Syria so dangerous, and why do journalists continue to risk their lives for the story?

Tamim Ansary On Afghanistan's Interrupted History

Steve Scher — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

The US military and its allies are drawing up plans to leave Afghanistan by 2014, but it will be some time before the nation is truly independent. Peace in Afghanistan has been interspersed with foreign invasion for centuries, from the Mongol Empire to today’s war. We talk with writer Tamim Ansary about his new book, “Game Without Rules: The Often Interrupted History of Afghanistan,” and what Afghan independence might look like in the future.

Army's I Corps Role Will Shift To Pacific Rim

Patricia Murphy — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:38:43 +0000

This month Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta laid out plans for the future of the US military. And as troops return from Afghanistan, that strategy includes shifting security operations to the Pacific Rim. Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) will play a major role in that plan.

Afghan Witnesses Describe Horror At Bales Hearing

Patricia Murphy — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 17:45:10 +0000

Updated: Tuesday, November 12, 1:00 p.m.

Witnesses and survivors recounted a horrific scene following a massacre at two villages in Kandahar Province March 11 that killed 16 civilians and wounded six. They testified via a live video link from Afghanistan during a pretrial hearing for Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

Reporter Update: Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier Accused Of Massacre

Sara Lerner and Patricia Murphy — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:46:20 +0000

Pre-trial hearings continue this evening at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. He’s accused of massacring 16 civilians in Afghanistan, including nine children. Prosecutors say he left his base last March and went on an overnight five-hour killing spree.

The hearings will determine whether the case will advance to court-martial, where the government has said it plans to seek the death penalty. KUOW’s Sara Lerner spoke with Patricia Murphy, who’s covering the hearings.

Afghan Witnesses Testimony Next Step In Bales Hearings

Patricia Murphy — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:50:20 +0000

Pretrial hearings for Staff Sergeant Robert Bales continue tonight when Afghan villagers and soldiers are expected to testify by video. The hearings are expected to run into the early morning hours US time.

Sgt. Bales Pretrial Hearing Set To Begin Monday

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:59:21 +0000

A pretrial hearing is scheduled to begin Monday morning for the Washington soldier charged with massacring 16 Afghan civilians in March. Army prosecutors at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will make the case that Staff Sgt. Robert Bales should face a full court martial.

Sgt. Bales is a 39-year-old married father of two. He’s accused of entering two Afghan villages on the night of March 11 and murdering nine children, three women and four men –- then burning some of the bodies.