Find It! - The War in Iraq

While we are at war in Iraq, many people are looking to the internet as their news and information source. In that vein, we have provided links to some of the major news sources as well as background information on the conflict and area. Talking to kids about war can be difficult, and there are several web sites to help you with that. We have also provided links to the major US government agencies involved in the war effort and the military. Military families can find the support they need and the public can support our troops.  Relief efforts have begun.  For further background information, we have some suggested books for adults and kids.

News

ABC News: War with Iraq - http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/dailynews/IraqIndex.html

Regular updates, reporter's journals, analysis, and multimedia.

 

Al Jazeera - http://english.aljazeera.net

English language page of the Arab news service.

 

CBS News: America at War - http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/home/main100.shtml

Coverage includes maps, a message board, interactive features, and regular updates.

 

CNN: War in Iraq - http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/

Follow the war through the War tracker and get information on the impact, US forces, weapons, and maps.

 

Digital Journalist - http://www.digitaljournalist.org/

A photojournalism perspective on the war.

 

Houston Chronicle - http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/special/02/iraq/index.html

Updates on the war, with links to background information, how to help, and the war at a glance.

 

MSNBC: Target Iraq - http://www.msnbc.com/news/attack_front.asp?0cb=-11b133692

Includes maps of the latest action, updates, multimedia, and in-depth coverage.

Background

CIA World Factbook: Iraq - http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/iz.html

Overview on the environment, people, government and economy of Iraq. From 2002.

 

Spying on Saddam - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/unscom/

The PBS program Frontline investigates the UN's effort to uncover weapons of mass destruction.

 

State Department Background Notes: Iraq - http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6804.htm

History of Iraq, government information, economic conditions, and US-Iraqi relations. Updated in 2003

 

Survival of Saddam - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saddam/

The PBS program Frontline explores how Saddam has survived over the years.

Talking to Kids

How to Talk to Your Child About the News - http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/news.html

Information on how children perceive the news, how to talk with them about it, and general tips for parents and caregivers.

 

How to Talk to Children About War - http://media.abcnews.com/sections/living/US/war_kids.html

Information from ABC News on discussing war with children, includes tips for talking with older children, and recognizing signs of stress in children. Also includes a section for children with parents in the war.

 

Should Kids Watch War Coverage on TV - http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/living/2020/kidsandwar_020325.html

Tips from ABC News on how to help children deal with the coverage they see of the war on TV.

 

Talking to Your Children About Frightening Events in the News - http://www.grief.net/Articles/talking_to_children.htm

Simple dos and don'ts from Grief.net.

 

Talking with Kids About War and Violence - http://www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/talkingwithkids/war/

PBS offers advice on talking and listening to kids, insights on for different age levels, using play and games, and how to answer tough questions.

 

Talking with Your Child About War - http://www.parentingpress.com/war/12tips.html

Twelve tips for parents.  Includes a list of activities to help children express their feelings.

 

Weekly Reader: Conflict in Iraq - http://weeklyreader.com/teachers/iraq/

Updates for teachers as well as classroom activities, lesson plans, and advice on talking with students.

US Government

Department of Homeland Security - http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/

Information on how to protect your home and family during emergencies and disasters.

 

FirstGov: America Responds - http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Usgresponse.shtml

US Government portal to news and information on the war. Also links to information for military families, including personnel locators, background on Iraq, and travel safety.

 

Whitehouse.gov - http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/index.html

Updates, news, and information on Operation Iraqi Freedom.

US Military

Defend America - http://www.defendamerica.mil/

News from the US Department of Defense.

 

DefenseLINK - http://www.defenselink.mil/

Official Site for the US Department of Defense.

 

Air Force - http://www.af.mil/

Army - http://www.army.mil/

Coast Guard - http://www.uscg.mil/

Marine Corps - http://www.usmc.mil/

Navy - http://www.navy.mil/

Military Families

American Red Cross: Military Members and Families - http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/index.html

Offers support to the military and their families through emergency communication services, counseling, and financial support. Includes information on how to help.

 

Family Separation and Readiness - Predeployment Guide: a Tool for Coping - http://www.afcrossroads.com/famseparation/predeployment_menu.cfm

Information for families on coping with separation from their loved ones. Has a section dealing with issues specific to children. Also covers upcoming reunions.

 

National Military Family Association - http://www.nmfa.org/

Organization which helps military families.

Supporting our Troops

Defend America - http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

Send your thanks to the US military.

 

Operation Dear Abby - http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/

Send email messages to our troops overseas in Iraq and elsewhere.

 

Operation USO Care Package - http://www.usocares.org/home.htm

Sends care packages of personal items, snacks, and entertainment to troops. Information on how to support this cause.

 

Stars and Stripes: Messages of Support - messages@stripes.com

Family and friends of troops can have messages of 50 words or less printed in the Stars and Stripes newspaper on a first come, first serve basis.

 

Support our Troops - http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html

A variety of suggestions from the US Department of Defense on how you can support our troops.

Relief Efforts

Assistance to Iraqi Libraries - http://www.ala.org/iraq

Learn about beginning efforts to assist libraries that have been looted in Iraq.

InterAction Disaster Response: Iraq - http://www.interaction.org/iraq/index.html

A directory of relief agencies, with links to Web sites, accepting contributions for humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis in Iraq.