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Welcome to Current Events !

 

Issue 20 News Updates

  • The U.S. public is divided over what to do about the war in Iraq, but people are more optimistic than they were a year ago, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. Just under half of the people surveyed in late February (48 percent) believe the war effort is going at least fairly well. That number is up from 30 percent one year ago. Just over half (53 percent) believe the U.S. will ultimately reach its goals, up from 47 percent a year ago. Of those surveyed, 47 percent support keeping U.S. troops in Iraq, up from 42 percent a year ago. About 49 percent said U.S. troops should be brought home as soon as possible, down from 53 percent a year ago. Read the Pew survey and compare year-to-year graphs and charts tracking public opinion on the war.

  • War has side effects that extend well beyond the bombs and sniper fire. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that more than 4.2 million Iraqis have fled or been forced from their homes. About half are now refugees in neighboring countries, primarily Syria and Jordan. Often, those refugees are not allowed to hold jobs, and they are left to rely on international aid. In 2006, Iraqis were the largest group by nationality seeking asylum in Europe, according to UNHCR. Read more about the plight of Iraq refugees, and watch video of one family’s story.

  • War can change the soldiers who fight it, as well. An Army study released March 6 found that soldiers increasingly suffer from mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, the longer they are in combat. The study found that more than a quarter of non-commissioned officers reported mental health problems during their third or fourth tours of duty. During a first tour, about 12 percent reported problems. During a second tour, more than 18 percent did. That number jumped to 27 percent during a third or fourth tour. Two veterans groups are suing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to force it to spend more on mental health treatment. A hearing in the case began March 3 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Dr. Arthur Blank, a former VA official and PTSD expert, testified that the military’s repeated deployments repeatedly expose soldiers to trauma. Read more from two Iraq war veterans who discussed their experiences with PTSD at a recent forum.

  • The Current Events Eyewitness to History Contest is under way! Have your students interview someone who personally witnessed a historic event. Then submit their stories in question-and-answer format to CE. Each interview can run up to 1,000 words long and should include a paragraph in which the student explains what he or she learned from the process. All entries must be postmarked by March 7. Click here for instructions and interviewing tips.

    • For more issue-related updates and web-only content, check out the CE News Blog.
    • The Issue 20 Teacher's Guide is now available online.
    • Click on "Resources," above, for more activities and the latest Smart Stuff.

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