Entire program – December 14, 2009

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Today on The World: The challenge facing US forces when it comes to policing and protecting civilians in Afghanistan; Also, men protest against the Iranian government by wearing head scarves; And world book picks for the holidays.

Fighting the Afghan insurgency

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The commander of foreign troops in Afghanistan, US Army General Stanley McChrystal, says the American military now understands counterinsurgency better than it ever has, and has made it a centerpiece of the new Afghanistan strategy. Reporter Ben Gilbert has been embedded with American forces in Afghanistan. On today’s show he is taking a look at how the counterinsurgency doctrine is being implemented on the ground in Afghanistan. Download MP3 (Photo: Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images)

• Background brief:Taliban insurgency
• President Obama’s Afghanistan plan
• BBC coverage of the Afghanistan conflict

Challenges facing climate migrants

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Droughts, floods, and sea level rise caused by climate change could displace millions of people from their land. Where will these climate migrants go? The South Asian nation of Bangladesh is grappling with that question. Joanna Kakissis reports. Download MP3 (Photo: Ross Taylor)

• The World’s coverage of the Copenhagen Climate Conference
• More environment coverage on The World
• Dan Grossman’s story: “Raising Bangladesh”

Holiday Books 2009

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Chanukah has begun. Christmas will be here before you know it. And we’ve got four gift ideas for the readers on your list. Our book critic Christopher Merrill is at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Marco Werman speaks with him. Download MP3

• Holiday Books 2009 book list
• The World Books page

Catalans stage mock secession vote

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Yesterday, 166 towns in Spain held a vote on whether to secede from the country. It all took place in the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia. The voting was purely symbolic, because secession votes are actually illegal in Spain. Catalan separatists organized the mock event because many Catalans are upset with the central government in Madrid. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports. Download MP3 (Photo: Gerry Hadden)

• Video: Catalans weigh in on independence
• BBC coverage

Regional security meeting in Bahrain

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Afghanistan was one of the trouble spots on the agenda at a regional security meeting in Bahrain this past weekend. Top US generals rubbed shoulders with Iranian and other leaders. Anchor Marco Werman gets details from Time magazine’s Vivienne Walt, who covered the meeting.

Men in scarves

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Men throughout the world are posting pictures of themselves online wearing women’s scarves on their head. It’s not a fashion statement. It’s a political statement against the regime in Iran. The World’s Jason Margolis reports.

• Negar Mottahedeh’s blog

Crunch time in Copenhagen

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There’s little time left for climate negotiators at the summit in Copenhagen. The summit has less than a week to go. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with The World’s environment editor Peter Thomson, who is in the Danish capital to cover the climate summit.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

Foul language in Irish parliament

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A foul-mouthed lawmaker has prompted a review of the rules in the Irish parliament. To many people’s surprise, it turns out that Irish lawmakers are allowed to use the f-word. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Harry McGree of The Irish Times.

Video

Geo answer

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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is Valencia, Spain. Valencia is preparing to host the next America’s Cup sailing competition in February. The US will be represented by the BMW-Oracle team. We hear from 3 team members who describe their radically designed race boat.

Polache

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Honduran singer-songwriter Polache wrote this song, “Mira a Honduras,” for an ad campaign to promote tourism. The song became a hit in the Central American country.