from iraq you've covered conflicts in iraq afghanistan yemen and beyond gate how do the iraqi people remember blackwater and erik prince in your view i mean it's amazing to kind of sit here and listen to eric and speak of a block or so in the services they did in iraq because the word blackwater is synonymous with the worst of the american occupation of iraq that is not a single iraqi that i you know i mean i'm one of those barbarians that was liberated by your country but there is not a single you who would you just mention the word black was as to who would not say corruption violence and i'm not talking only about the kind of massacre but i'm talking about the whole 10 years of the existence of these muslims and i think part of the failure of the american against project an era was due to the using of the continent is it not is a major problem that you could concede that even if your plan is a good one you shouldn't be the one doing it given the legacy you've left behind with certainly here is the thing your your math is a little skewed because the us didn't invade iraq till 2003

from iraq you've covered conflicts in iraq afghanistan yemen and beyond gate how do the iraqi people remember blackwater and erik prince in your view i mean it's amazing to kind of sit here and listen to eric and speak of a block or so in the services they did in iraq because the word blackwater is synonymous with the worst of the american occupation of iraq that is not a single iraqi that i know i mean i'm one of those barbarians that was liberated by a country but there is not a single day who would you just mention the word block wars as to who would not say corruption violence and i'm not talking only about the kind of massacre but i'm talking about the whole 10 years of the existence of these muslims and i think part of the failure of the american project an era was due to the using of the continent is it not is a major problem that you could concede that even if your plan is a good one you shouldn't be the one doing it given the legacy you've left behind with certainly here is the thing your your math is a little skewed because the us didn't invade iraq till 2003 i sold the com

and afghanistan during the same period close to 2 afghan and iraq veterans died by suicide each day on average meaning the estimated $7300.00 veterans who have killed themselves since just 2009 after coming home from afghanistan and iraq are greater in number than the 7012 service members killed in those wars since 2001 why is suicide such an epidemic among combat veterans from our wars in the middle east joining me to discuss veteran suicides is matthew hoh who served as a marine corps company commander in iraq in a later as a state department official in afghanistan resigned in protest over the escalation of the war. so matthew and i spent 20 years covering war i didn't carry a weapon and that's an important distinction but certainly dealt with p.t.s.d. as i know you have let's 1st just explain what p.t.s.d. does to you and i know you've fought this battle to. chris and thank you for having me on and i think that point you you made is something you know we'll get into about the difference. as a perpetrator of war as say i was as opposed to somebody who has taken part in the war as

and afghanistan during the same period close to 2 afghan and iraq veterans died by suicide each day on average meaning the estimated $7300.00 veterans who have killed themselves since just 2009 after coming home from afghanistan and iraq are greater in number than the 7012 service members killed in those wars since 2001 why is suicide such an epidemic among combat veterans from our wars in the middle east joining me to discuss veteran suicides is matthew hoh who served as a marine corps company commander in iraq in a later as a state department official in afghanistan resigned in protest over the escalation of the war. so matthew and i spent 20 years covering war i didn't carry a weapon and that's an important distinction but certainly dealt with p.t.s.d. as i know you have let's 1st just explain what p.t.s.d. does to you and i know you've fought this battle too. yeah absolutely chris and thank you for having me on and i think that point you made is something you know we'll get into about the difference. as a perpetrator of war as say i was as opposed to somebody who has taken part

suicides in the united states data from veterans affairs shows among veterans that had deployed to iraq and afghanistan suicide rates are $4.00 to $10.00 times higher than their civilian peers but even these statistics may be understating suicide rates among combat veterans in a 2015 story a marine corps infantry unit that was tracked after coming home from war saw suicide rates among its young men 4 times greater than other young male veterans and 14 times that of civilians this high rate of suicide in veterans leads to a total number of deaths of combat troops at home that surpasses the totals killed in the war in 2011 an investigative piece in the bay citizen that examined public health records found that 1000 california veterans under the age of 35 died from 2005 to 2008 that is 3 times the number killed in iraq and afghanistan during the same period close to 2 af. and iraq veterans die by suicide each day on average meaning the estimated 7300 veterans who have killed themselves since just 2009 after coming home from afghanistan and iraq are greater in number than the 7012 service m

it was a brutal night over iraq that night. god called me and i have no doubt it was a touch the face of angels and called me to continue to serve in a different way. at that point and no context but i do not know what that was but he planted that in my heart. pete: well said, well said. dan rooney's fateful flight that when he talked about was essential factor in leading him to establish full's of honor but it's an initiative departed scholarships to the children and families of wounded and fallen that's. this memorial day weekend all vaccination and subscriptions will include a five-dollar donation to this incredible organization so if you are not subscribed yet it is the perfect time. as a member of fox nation you can check out the extended version of this episode of "modern warriers" at fox nation. coming up, joey jones will tell the story of his friend and war fighter who served next to him on the day he lost his leg. host: they celebrate the front line, from the marines to the modern warriors, shining light in the america

iraq was the opposite of this. in iraq the united states i. i veiledded the country and then remained as an effective occupy for a decade and dulk for iraqis to feel like they were making thunder own future. some try tried but it was kick because there as was a big u.s. occupation. so the overstretch in iraq and afghanistan let the united states to say we're no longer capable of doing the same kind of intervention. part my in the space that was created by the u.s.' disastrous failures in iraq and i take my share of responsibilities since i was there, it was somewhat someone in that space people sneyd 201 we'll do this on our own and that's amazing. that's very inspiring. notwithstanding, that sometimes things just don't work out so well. that's my other big theme in the become. to do something really great and noble, like take taking you political fate interest your own hands, means taking risks. if you knew for sure it would succeed, it wouldn't be that noble to do it good to grocery store, maybe it's different in covid but orderly going to t

summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees celsius here in a carriage in the kurdistan region of iraq. that's why biologists hanna rosin and her colleague corner a shout out like to get an early start they're looking for traces of the biggest predator here a leopard that's considered the spirit of the current. and they look great at the flagship species so it's very important it's on top predators always on top of the food chain. the persian leopard is virtually invisible people who live here in the mountains of colorado know with the leopard but furry few have ever seen it . even hanna rosin who's been working and doing research here for years now has never encountered a leopard in the wild that's why they use camera traps. so this is the wild growth. and we get a lot of pictures of them on our camera charts which is a good. indicator of the prey and a bit of an apology for the persian offered this is one of the reasons why we get a person like that actually. it seems this morning we've got a lot of pictures of mammals different animal species and also a lot of birds we have. the wild

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or attends the sit in attend. services. how many in the family. 7 of them he's your youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home but i stay home with that home yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them as he wanted to say you want to see who is he wants it i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official and you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. going to show me. know that security clearance is called a to bring it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. m

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or a tent this is in a tent. just. how many in the family. 7 of them here youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home i stay home with that home still show yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them if he wanted to say it was the way he wants it i don't know but i applied for. receive curity clearance from the authorities. official if you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. but show me. that security clearance is called a to breo it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. member it gives peo

ths position above us for- in iraq where w we're looking forwardo ththat. okay primeme ministeteri are r recognizes. t the value te relationship with united states so we're looking forward to working with them. each wants but hehe is askingng foror the s prone. upup iraq look back. is that iran behave like a normal stat a and that t means that theree. will nott. melissssa's r station and neighbor countntry are for countries that operate out the role ththe center. that we n not a matter of policy work to destabililize. n neighboring governments or r governments in the in the arab woworld- andnd i pipick up my car look f forwardo iraq becoming a normamastate. mr shahanker the withdrawal of the troops iraq an option at this momoment we are going to discuss thehe broad rangef topics withh the with the iraqi government including t the disposition of u. s. forces. as in the moving to lebanon now how do you view the current lebanese government and is the u. s. willing to offerr financiaial aid to lebanon n as long as i'inin three. a symbol we still want. to see.e.

borders drawn after world war i left the kurdish region straddling four states -- turkey, syria, iraq, and iran. this has resulted in uprisings, violence, and wars that still continue today. most recently, against so-called islamic state. over the decades, millions of people have been displaced. some fled to isolated mountain areas. kurdistan's wildlife has also been badly affected. many species are now endangered. but there's new hope in the qara dagh region of northern iraq, thanks to dedicated conservationists. reporter: summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees celsius here in the qara dagh in the kurdistan region of iraq. that's why biologist hana raza and her colleague koresh ararat like to get an early start. they're looking for traces of the biggest predator here, a leopard that's considered the top of the food chain. reporter: the persian leopard is virtually invisiblble. people who live here in the mountains of qara dagh know of the leopard, but very few have ever seen it. even hana raza, who's been working and doing research here for years now, has never encountered a leopa

had left iraq to iran. because they were ready from the get-go to turn this to their advantage. the same is happening now, the train to turn this of soleimani into a moment where they can solidify their games because they will not stop choosing violence of whoever is in front of them and sees what they can, they are facing a lot of headwinds because of the protest you are seeing in iraq and lebanon and around against tehran's strangle hold against the politics of this region. >> you mention the women's movement and i might have the revolution of the uprising of president bashir -- >> the iconic image of the young woman dressed in white with big gold earrings standing on top of a car, leading the man enchanting. >> and the foreign minister, once again i had a meeting with her, is a woman, unheard of in the politics. so you mention women, is there some connection between young people in the middle east and the demands they are making for reform in change in opening up of a society and a democracy. a democracy is under attack around the world. >> democracy is under attack around th

well it's certainly a mixture of both certainly not every single ice and fighter operating in iraq was captured certainly a lot of the foreigners were captured because it's hard for them to melt into the population but there are a lot of i still remember still within iraq they had been preparing for exactly this scenario where the territorial control is lost and the fight continues and they've been doing this systematically since 200-1000 fortunately in the last year we saw a very steady rise of successful islip tax all over iraq and of course those following the story of iraq where the government is in all of this they find themselves in a very precarious position unable to take control of an area as we've seen over the past few years but of course they've had political infighting for trying to find a prime minister to take control of government and that's all it leaves that leaves an administrative vacuum and a vacuum that can be filled by groups like eisel unfortunately you're absolutely right we are pretty much again at a situation that we were once before in 2011 where internation

as well as to help them proceed elsewhere to iraq to lebanon, to syria to yemen. i really think that will come down to the benefit of the dictators and let's go to another and, venezuela. these are all connected these people are all connected to each other the regimes are connected. so venezuela asked conclusively on revenue once it's fallen out of that market the way they been able to survive is really what stipends from china and russia in exchange for oil, venezuelan oil provided at the local market prices which then russian china would sell at a profit. will how's that working out? that's not working out. and then russia's had to bail out within venezuela for about $4 billion. that's not playing well back in russia. that is exacerbating the sentiment against putin. i think there is an opportunity within venezuela to pose as a leader who will actually help them get out of this crisis. and really the key factor to watch his venezuelans, especially among the former -- are they going to begin to contribute their grievances? i think it's bad for dictators, really d

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or attends the sit in a tent. just. how many in the family. 7 of them he's your youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home i stay home with that home yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them. if he wanted to see it was it was he wanted i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official and you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. but show me. that security clearance is called a to breo it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. member it gives people who are

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. shut was he born in a hospital or attends to the gym in a tent. just. how many in the family. 7 of them here youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home but i stayed home with him at home still in shock yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them. if he wanted to see who was who was he wanted i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official if you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. but show me. that security clearance is called a to breo it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. member i

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or a tent. in a tent. just. how many in the family. 7 of them here youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home i stay home with him at home yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them. if he wanted to say it was it was he wants it i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official and you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. but show me. that security clearance is called a to breo it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. member it gives people who are suspecte

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or attends to the sit in attend. just. how many in the family. 7 of them his youngest yes. it would be do you work or stay at home but i stayed home with him at home yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them as he wanted to see who was who was he wants as you know i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official and you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. going to show me. know that security clearance is called a to breo it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. is that was he born in a hospital or attends to the can attend. just. how many in the family. 7 of them he's your youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home with it i stayed home with him at home yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them as he wanted to say you want to see what he wants and i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official and you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. going to show me. that security clearance is called a to breo it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. m

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or attends the sit in attend. just. how many in the family. 7 of them his youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home i stayed home with him at home yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them. if he wanted to see it was it was he wants it i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official and you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. show me. that security clearance is called a to breo it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. member it gives people who are sus

it comes as an anti-government demonstration in iraq's capital intensifying. it's being reported that iran says it's ready to conduct a prisoner exchange with the u.s. without any preconditions government spokesman on a debate who was quoted in local media saying techron has expressed willingness to exchange all prisoners but has not heard back from the u.s. both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the covert 19 outbreak let's take a look at some of the people being held in both countries there are at least 4 americans detained in iran sami a good number as he and his father back have been in prison the longest for years on espionage charges and in the us there are dozens of iranians being held for violating u.s. sanctions and tech crunch iran is specifically seeking the release of serious askari by 59 year old evelyn ian scientist who tested positive for covert 1000 in federal prison last week the last time a prisoner swap took place was in december in a display of rare cooperation freed an american graduate student in exchange for a

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or attends this is in a tent. just. how many in the family. 7 of them here youngest yes. we do you work or stay at home i stay home with that hopefully yes and your husband is dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them as he wanted to say it was or was he wanted i don't know but i applied for a security clearance from the authorities. official if you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. going to show me. that security clearance is called it's a brief it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. member it gives people who

detention facility that was set up in 2003 during the iraq war. the prisoners could decide to join forces just as they did back then. baghdad based authorities have now come to mosul to make sure that all residents are properly registered. the norwegian refugee aid organization that manages this camp also offers legal advice to widows. this mother needs documents for her 2 year old son who was born after the battle of mosul. just was he born in a hospital or attends to the few that can attend. just. how many in the family. 7 of the babies are youngest yes. it would be do you work or stay at home i stayed home with the homestead yes and your husband he's dead. did he stay with you. when they arrived he waited a year and then joined them as he wanted to see you what is it was he wanted i don't know but i applied. for a security clearance from the authorities. official if you get it do you have the documents yes yes here they are. but show me. that security clearance is called a tab rio it proves that a spouse is no longer legally wed to an i.a.s. me

so the interest of time in the gulf in iraq a country in crisis with that backlash as well. so through the political crisis and the dissatisfaction with their government and then the prime minister is blocked by the iranians and then is a good leader and through the intelligence agency he is an effective leader. but he will be stuck with a difficult situation the iraqi budget is at least two times bigger this year and that's probably an understatement and then you have the covid-19 crisis as well as the subversion of the government. so now that's going into an event worse crisis i think the iraqi people will want that more and more as they see the alternative there is a good sign to that initially the iraq government has refused the iranian demands to open the border to protect their people from covid-19. in syria the latest episode of a serial mass homicide on the syrian civil war made from russia and iran and obviously we have about 1 million refugees and with mass murder and bombing and covid-19 and in lebanon and jordan with disastrous influence to provide assistance the

we support iraq's sovereignty. we have to see what the future of our presence in iraq will look like in the months ahead. michael: in a minute or two, i want to finish up on the broader question of the national defense strategy and implementation of that. that is partly related to covid-19, but also largely separate from covid-19. before i do, i want to ask about afghanistan. i realize this is a complicated question because i'm inevitably going to be asking you a question that touches on diplomacy and the peace process in afghanistan. i think at the moment, there's a little bit of confusion, perhaps intentional and perhaps even desirable, about what exactly u.s. policy towards afghanistan would be if the peace process with the taliban and the government led team of political --ors, ngo's, civil society if that peace process continues to state bogged down, if the afghani government cannot decide on how they will structure power-sharing between the top two individuals, and there is an uptick in violence, especially b

iraq, iran, syria, house the bars of the pandemic affected the region? >> just when you think it can't get worse the middle east, it does get worse. it's a humanitarian crisis of colossal scale that we are witnessing. we already talked a little bit about iran what iran is going through a crisis of the regime's own making its pariah state because it acts like a terrorist organization rather than a nationstate. it's reaping what it deserves at this stage in connection with a corrupt economic system where Ãbat the top of their families which are these criminalized networks as well as the guards corps with members of the guards corps being the beneficial owners a lot of the iranian companies. they are suffering from their economic isolation and now covid and now the collapse of world presence. their external adventures in the region support for hootie surgeons and llama their support for assault with the proxy army in syria support for has below the malicious Ãb militia in iraq. the terrorist organizations that pose a threat to israel. this is really going

is people testing positive. there a coronavirus crisis i iraq? is there a coronavirus crisis in iraq? hundreds of people have died. the race to find a treatment: a trialfor a promising new drug to treat coronavirus is under way in southampton. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow.

. >> iraq, iran, syria, how has the pandemic affected that region? >> just when you think it can't get worse, it does. it is a humanitarian crisis of colossal scale that we are witnessing across the region. but whether iran is going through a crisis because it acts like a terrorist organization rather than the nationstate so that is in connection with a corrupt economic system on the top of the criminalized networks as well as the members of the guard core to be part of those companies. they are suffering from their economic installation so those external adventures in the region for yemen and the support for syria and the militias in iraq and the terrorist organizations, this will have to draw a question as it was before covid with the iraqi people. but there is this government that's up to the iranian people that iran is in a real crisis. >> when the united states pulled out of the jcpoa and we impose sanctions, that they could become like the grinch at christmas. they could come to the negotiating table and that was not going to happen because of

forces consolidating also reprisal against iranian militias inside iraq. you also saw just yesterday the president tweeting that we will sink iraqis islamic revolutionary guards corps navy vessels that harass our ships in the gulf. and i think iran is going to continue to push it and pushed onto the limits. i think there's really a chance for an escalation that will result in a reprisal or directly against iran or iranian assets. i think the trump administration demonstrating with the soleimani strike that when the proxy attack us, we know what the real address is. and so i think that it's a dangerous time in the gulf as a result, but what you are seeing in iraq, a country in crisis, as a backlash against iran as well. you had the political crisis associate with the iraq iraqis peoples dissatisfaction with the government, when the next prime minister is supposed to try to form the government, he's really blocked by the iranians. now you have another one coming in who is a good leader i think. he's not iranian public. he's an effective leader but he's going

it was a brutal night over iraq that night. and god called me. and i have no doubt is i was touching the face of angels pretty called me to continue to serve in a different way. at that point, i did not know what that was i had no context. but he planted did that in my heart. host: well said. dan and 30, was a central factor into leading him to establish an initiative to provide scholarships to the children and families would follow that's. in this memorial day weekend, all the nation options will include a 5-dollar donation to an incredible organization. so if you are not prescribed yet, is the perfect time. as a member of oxidation, you can always check out the extended version of this episode of modern warriors. coming up, jones will tell the story of his friend and war fighter who served next to him. on the day he lost his leg. host: they celebrate the front line, from the marines to the modern warriors, shining light in the americans who risk their lives to fight for american tradition. download the app it's all right american everyday on fo

it was a brutal night over iraq that night. and god called me. and i have no doubt is i was touching the face of angels pretty called me to continue to serve in a different way. at that point, i did not know what that was i had no context. but he planted did that in my heart. host: well said. dan and 30, was a central factor into leading him to establish an initiative to provide scholarships to the children and families would follow that's. in this memorial day weekend, all the nation options will include a 5-dollar donation to an incredible organization. so if you are not prescribed yet, is the perfect time. as a member of oxidation, you can always check out the extended version of this episode of modern warriors. coming up, jones will tell the story of his friend and war fighter who served next to him. on the day he lost his leg. host: they celebrate the front line, from the marines to the modern warriors, shining light in the americans who risk their lives to fight for american tradition. download the app it's all right american everyday on fo

one project a year in a crisis zone with his theater in 2019 he went with some actors to mosul and iraq to stage a modern day oresteia the trilogy of ancient greek tragedies by escalus they're out of the business was to focus on numbness there is no theater there we found a kind of fine art academy 1st but 1st the city was conquered by the americans then by al qaeda and then occupied by us of the ho as the capital of the i s calif it all art forms were banned and artists were executed if they didn't renounce their art i couldn't slow you nearly to poor so what's in the complaint that. it was not an easy project the iraqis had very little theatre experience and they were not allowed to go abroad as had originally been planned so how filmed them in iraq and projected the scenes onto the stage during the performances in belgium it's. hard. to say. this also fit. into d.c. the star like. this already in theater. and age and greek tragedy about murder and revenge within a royal family transposed to contemporary iraq ringback. it's a country which knows all about murder and revenge once again

we support iraq's sovereignty. we have to see what the future of our presence in iraq will look like in the months ahead. michael: in a minute or two, i want to finish up on the broader question of the national defense strategy and implementation of that. that is partly related to covid-19, but also largely separate from covid-19. before i do, i want to ask about afghanistan. i realize this is a complicated question because i'm inevitably going to be asking you a question that touches on diplomacy and the peace process in afghanistan. i think at the moment, there's a little bit of confusion, perhaps intentional and perhaps even desirable, about what exactly u.s. policy towards afghanistan would be if the peace process with the taliban and the government led team of political actors, ngo's, civil society -- if that peace process continues to state bogged down, if the afghani government cannot decide on how they will structure power-sharing between the top two individuals, and there is an uptick in violence, especial

well still ahead on al-jazeera fears that i feel is making a comeback in iraq as fighters attacked a police station. and a bleak future for many animals as lockdowns leaves without enough money to feed them. how the weather's last fall and dry across a good part of the middle east in some places of class some showers just between the black sea and the caspian sea south of that is generally set than it will be the case as we go on through the next couple days warm sunshine here in doha 37 celsius could just catch on the other side of the gulf as not to be rolled out 41 celsius in dubai is heating up we'll see temperatures possibly touching 38 here is you go on into monday that's 100 in found hot 5 and dry and again notice quite a keen wind pushing up across northern parts of saudi arabia a little bit of luck to lift the dust and sand coming through here pushing into iraq want to see showers there just in the southwestern corner as well western parts of yemen joining up with the showers that we have over the open holland some lively showers just pushing in here down towards the rift va

one project a year in a crisis zone with his theater in 2019 he went with some actors to mosul and iraq to stage a modern day oresteia the trilogy of ancient greek tragedies by escalus. those who focus on not miss there is no theater there we found a kind of fine art academy for us but 1st the city was conquered by the americans and then by al-qaeda and then occupied by us of the ho as the capital of the i s calif it all art forms were banned and artists were executed if they didn't renounce their art i couldn't slow you give it to poor so whites in the complaint that. it was not an easy project the iraqis had very little theatre experience and they were not allowed to go abroad as had originally been planned so how filmed them in iraq and projected the scenes onto the stage during the performances in belgium is. to. see the star like in the course you come out. and age and greek tragedy about murder and revenge within a royal family transposed to contemporary iraq. it's a country which knows all about murder and revenge once again me though how explored how victims and perpetrators can

it comes as an anti-government demonstration in iraq's capital intensifies. it's being reported that iran says it's ready to conduct a prisoner exchange with the u.s. without any preconditions government spokesman was quoted in local media saying techron has expressed willingness to exchange all prisoners but has not heard back from the u.s. both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the covert 19 outbreak let's take a look at some of the people being held in both countries there are at least 4 americans detained in iran c.m. economizing and his father barker have been imprisoned the longest 4 years on espionage charges along with a former navy seal michael white in the u.s. that are dozens of iranians being held for violating u.s. sanctions on tehran iran is specifically seeking the release of serious us gardley 59 year old iranian scientist who tested positive for cover 19 in federal prison last week. the last time a prisoner swap took place was in december in a display of real cooperation to iran freed american graduate student in e

and asian greek tragedy about murder and revenge within a royal family transposed to contemporary iraq. it's a country which knows all about murder and revenge once again me though how explored how victims and perpetrators can continue to live together. what can be done about the fighters of the so-called islamic state prevent. for retribution. the and. not that he asked the iraqi actors what they thought should be done. to them that you so often believe you know. i don't think. it's. the money it's going to stick around the. revenues of their money might be what you might come out of the meeting. come on. the minute. when asked again they answer differently. than about it's been another fake specter they'd all vote for forgiveness but they all abstained. they said because we couldn't even kill a chicken because so how could we vote to put someone to death and yet if we forgive them we've abolished justice and that's why my hope still lies with the institutions and if it's a justice can exist so people say i can't kill the guy but i don't want him to go free so i'll hand him over to a

one project a year in a crisis zone with his theater in 2019 he went with some actors to mosul and iraq to stage a modern day oresteia the trilogy of ancient greek tragedies by escalus. those who focus on not miss there is no theater there we found a kind of fine art academy for us but 1st the city was conquered by the americans then by al qaeda and then occupied by us as the capital of the i s caliph it all art forms were banned and artists were executed if they didn't renounce their art i couldn't slow europe the poor so whites in the complaint that. it was not an easy project the iraqis had very little theatre experience and they were not allowed to go abroad as had originally been planned so how filmed them in iraq and projected the scenes onto the stage during the performances in belgium there's. ringback also fit. into the v.c. if you start to like. this over. 'd and age and greek tragedy about murder and revenge within a royal family transposed to contemporary iraq. it's a country which knows all about murder and revenge once again me though how explored how victims and perpetrat

forces since the january 3 killing of qasem soleimani and with a strike in iraq. so what you are seeing is u.s. forces consolidating and your sink also reprisals against iranian militias inside of iraq picky also saw just yesterday the president tweeting that we will sink iraqi islamic revolution guards corps navy vessels that harass our ships in the gulf. i think iran is going to continue to push it and pushed beyond -- i think there's a chance for an escalation that will result in a in a reprisale directly against iran or iranian assets. i think the trump administration demonstrated with the qasem soleimani strike them when their proxies attack us we know what their redress is. i think it's a dangerous time in the gulf as a result but what you're seeing in iraq is a country in crisis is a backlash against iran as well. you have had the political cris associated with the iraqi peoples dissatisfaction with their government, the next permission was supposed to form the government, he is blocked by the iranians. now you have a good leader, certain not iranian public

reprisals against iran published inside of iraq and yesterday the president tweeting we will sink iraqi islamic revolutionary guard corps, navy vessels that harass our ships into the gulf and iran is going to continue to push it, but there's a chance for an escalation that resulted in appropriate -- reprisal against iranian assets. and proxies attack us, we know what the real return address is so i think a dangerous time in the gulf, the country in crisis, a backlash against iran as well. the political crisis, a dissatisfaction with the government. the next prime minister, blocked by the iranian this. he is certainly not doing that. stuck with a very difficult situation. the iraqi budget is at least two times bigger than revenue. that is an understatement. the covid-19 crisis as well as the iranian immigration. in a worst crisis, trying to maintain the influence, the iraqi people will want that more and more. their fate is tied to an alternative to iranian influence, the iraqi government refused iranian demands to open the border, to protect our people from covid-19, we are seeing kind

borders drawn after world war i left the kurdish region straddling four states -- turkey, syria, iraq, and iran. this has resulted in uprisings, violence, and wars that still continue today. most recently, against so-called islamic state. over the decades, millions of people have been displaced. some fled to isolated mountain areas. kurdistan's wildlife has also been badly affected. many species are now endangered. but there's new hope in the qara dagh region of northern iraq, thanks to dedicated conservationists. reporter: summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees celsius here in the qara dagh in the kurdistan region of iraq. that's why biologist hana raza and her colleague koresh ararat like to get an early start. they're looking for traces of the biggest predator here, a leopard that's considered the top of the food chain. reporter: the persian leopard is virtually invisible. people who live here in the mountains of qara dagh know of the leopard, but very few have ever seen it. even hana raza, who's been working and doing research here for years now, has never encountered a leopard

one project a year in a crisis zone with his theater in 2019 he went with some actors to mosul and iraq to stage a modern day oresteia the trilogy of ancient greek tragedies by escalus. those who focus on not miss there is no theater there we found a kind of fine art academy 1st but 1st the city was conquered by the americans then by al-qaeda and then occupied by us as the capital of the i s calif it all art forms were banned and artists were executed if they didn't renounce their art i couldn't slow you nearly to poor so i had seen the complaint that. it was not an easy project the iraqis had very little theatre experience and they were not allowed to go abroad as had originally been planned so how filmed them in iraq and projected the scenes onto the stage during the performances in belgium this. into the v.c. of the star like to see come out. 'd and agent greek tragedy about murder and revenge within a royal family transposed to contemporary iraq. it's a country which knows all about murder and revenge once again me though how explored how victims and perpetrators can continue to liv

or in erbil in northern iraq. that's a really big deal the u.s. really started something here and maybe that w strategically wise, but you have to hope that the people in charge really, really thought this through. >> set now this is - ople in charge before trump have known that soleimani was bad guy and have made the decision not to take this step that he took >> yeah. >> seth: and one of the things, some of the reporting has been that he was prented with a list of options of how to spd to recent iranian aggression and he chose the most extreme, which was to take out soleimani. do you think it's foolhardy for his advisors to ever give him an option that is so extreme that they think he won't take it? >> yeah. [ light laughter ] your take on this on your show la night i thought was actually perfect you basically said, "has anybody ever briefed these advisors on donald trump?" >> sh: yeah. >> because if you ofr him a and one cuoo for cocoa puffs idea - >> seth: yeah. >> there's no reon to believe that cuckoo for co

iraq's new prime minister has taken office after parliament approved a partial cabinet. takes the reins at a time of severe economic challenges worsen by the krona virus it's been a fault in reports from baghdad after almost 6 months of political wrangling iraq finally has a new government on thursday former intelligence chief with the fall of kabul me the 3rd person to be nominated for prime minister this year secured parliament seal of approval 15 ministers from his 22 member cabinet are also past. the we are going through a critical phase in our history iraq is facing so many challenges in our security economy health care and even socially but it is not bigger than our determination to stand up to these challenges to earn the vote of confidence in me had to appease major political parties by letting them pick ministers in his cabinet an informal get deeply entrenched power sharing system known as portion meant. he had 10 percent of freedom to choose his cabinet and 90 percent were determined by the parties and blocs. names of ministers were swapped until right before