Monday, March 17, 2008

Your Call 031808 Coming Home

The Iraq war has had a transformative and sometimes devastating effect on communities. In Iraq, entire neighborhoods have been destroyed by bombing and street fighting; and even when the houses remain standing, in many places, a whole new group of people now lives in them. In the U.S., soldiers with serious wounds - physical and mental - have returned to their families and communities, but often had a hell of a time putting the pieces back together. Are there similarities in what they need to heal and move forward? Who should be held accountable for what's happened to them?

Guests:
Laura Gomez
Operation Iraqi Freedom Returning Veterans Coordinator for the Veterans Administration hospital in Palo Alto.

Dana Graber in Amman, Jordan
From the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Ramon Leal
Served two tours of duty in Iraq

Harb al Mukhtar
Journalist in Baghdad

Click to Listen: Coming Home

Your Call 031708 How have women been affected by war in Iraq?

How have women been affected by war in Iraq? On the next Your Call, we begin a weeklong series to commemorate the 5-year anniversary of the U.S. invasion. Women in Iraq have endured decades of war and sanctions and on the American side, women now make up 15 percent of active duty forces, four times more than the number of women serving in the Gulf War. So what impact has the war had on both Iraqi and American women? It's Your Call, with Rose Aguilar and you.

Guests:
Basma AlKhateeb, Iraqi AlAmal Association, Baghdad

An Iraqi professor living in the Bay Area: anonymous

A veteran with Iraq Veterans Against the War: Name to be confirmed

Click to Listen: How have women been affected by war in Iraq? (audio unavailable)