Teams of US soldiers are being embedded into the Iraqi Army to help them fight the insurgency. The goal: help the Iraqi Army to stand on its own so US forces can go home. Correspondent Ben Gilbert went along on a patrol in the streets of Baghdad.
Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports on the many layers of loyalty within the ranks of the Iraqi Army. Soldiers often have competing loyalties to various Iraqi factions and that's affecting the Army's ability to act as a unified force.
Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports from Baghdad on the work of American soldiers with the 1st Brigade of the Army's 10th Mountain Division. The soldiers are combining get-tough tactics against troublemakers with get-friendly tactics with young Iraqis.
The fighting between the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israel has provoked anger throughout the Muslim world. Ben Gilbert reports from Damascus, where Syrians are expressing a renewed sense of nationalism, as well as solidarity with Hezbollah.
American soldiers in Iraq have come up with unusual ways to add protection to themselves and their vehicles. Correspondent Ben Gilbert tells us about one idea that a soldier in Ramadi came up with. US troops call it "pope glass."
Talk about bad timing. The United States spent 5-million dollars last year on a campaign to encourage tourists to visit southern Lebanon. That effort was on the verge of yielding results when Israel bombed and invaded Lebanon this summer. Correspondent Ben Gilbert visits the sites of two tourist projects that didn't survive.
Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports on a film festival in Beirut. The festival almost didn't take place because of the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, but so far, it's been well attended and well received.
Political factions in Lebanon have become more polarized since Hezbollah gained new power in its war with Israel. Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut on a political quagmire in the making.
Correspondent Ben Gilbert reports from Beirut on the aftermath of the assassination of a key cabinet minister there. The Lebanese government has declared a three-day mourning period.
![Ben Gilbert Links to Radio Stories - Iraq / Lebanon- 2004-2006](artistInfo/thumbs/46.jpg ""Pope Glass" Protects US Soldiers in Iraq")
