iraq

Archaeological Treasures in Iraq: August, 2005

“This page contains digital photographs of archaeological sites in Iraq, taken by McGuire Gibson (Professor of Mesopotamian Archaeology, University of Chicago / Oriental Institute) and by SPC William Peterson. They are posted here with permission of the photographers. In May 2003, less than two weeks after major combat had been declared over, Gibson undertook a trip to Iraq, during which he visited several archaeological sites, including Isin, Ur, and Umm al-Hafriyat (a detailed account of Gibson's trip to Iraq, which also includes accounts of his site visits, has been posted on IraqCrisis). Peterson's photographs of Girsu, Nippur, and Uruk were taken in late 2003 / early 2004, during visits to these archaeological sites by U.S. soldiers (a fourth page with pictures of Babylon is in preparation).”
[Oriental Institute: Lost Treasures from Iraq]

More Journalists Killed in Iraq than Vietnam: Sept., 2004

“The number of journalists and support staff killed in Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003 now exceeds the toll among the media during two decades of fighting in Vietnam from 1955 to 1975, according to separate reports from two international journalists' organizations. The Brussels-based International News Safety Institute (INSI) said in a press release on 29 August: ”Eighty-one members of the news media have died since the war began in March 2003, according to figures compiled by the Institute. More than half - 50 - were murdered by insurgents and other unidentified gunmen and bombers. American firepower is the next most significant cause of death. There is no firm evidence that US forces have deliberately targeted the news media. But there is widespread suspicion that American troops do not take adequate precautions to try to ensure the safety of journalists. None of the other Coalition forces has killed any journalists.“
[Editors Weblog]