Understanding Social and Political Conditions in Iraq Before and After the Surge: Media Bias and Public Perception

Rick Leatherwood, Wed., Oct. 22, 2008

4:30pm - Adamson Wing, 136A Baker Hall

Rick Leatherwood is the Director of Kairos International, an NGO that has been working in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq for the last five years rebuilding schools and teaching English. Mr. Leatherwood has worked independently and with both the US Military and State Department in Iraq.

This lecture presents from a NGO (Non Government Organization) perspective a description of the political, social, economic and security situations in Iraq over the past 5 years from firsthand involvement and experience, and describes some of the complexities affecting American reconstruction efforts. This lecture is intended to present background and firsthand information on the country; information that is difficult to learn without personal experience in the country, but is essential for understanding the news, developments, and decisions that affect that country. Particular attention will be paid to the influence of media in the USA on actual on-the-ground efforts in terms of political policy and funding coming from the USA.

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