War

Programming an ethical robot warrior

By The World ⋅ February 18, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Can a robot be programmed to make life-and-death decisions on the battlefield? Some researchers are currently working to develop software that will help robots make moral and legal decisions on their own. Later today, we speak with Ronald Arkin, a professor of computer science at Georgia Tech who has just completed a three-year research project for the Army looking into the use of ethical battlefield robots. Download MP3

Weird words like whiffling, and the elusive meaning of peace

By Patrick Cox ⋅ January 18, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

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A conversation with Adam Jacot de Boinod, a seeker of obscure but colorful English expressions. If you read his new book, “The Wonder of Whiffling”, you’ll know whether you prefer to muppet shuffle or dwile flunk. You’ll know if you are a pozzy-wallah. Some of expressions are brand new, others long gone. Also, the meaning of the word peace. Barack Obama was the latest figure to tweak its definition when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and made the argument for “just war”. Download MP3

Sisters in War

By The World ⋅ October 30, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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A new book profiles an Iraqi family’s experience of the war in Iraq, from their great optimism in 2003 to the despair and horror of the civil war years. Anchor Katy Clark talks with author, Christina Asquith, who shared their lives in Baghdad for many years. Download MP3

Listen to Zia and Nunu and how they feel about the war, and America:

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Book information
Christina Asquith’s website

Pakistan’s reluctant war on terrorism

By Matthew Bell ⋅ October 12, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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South Asia expert Christine Fair on Pakistan’s “partial war against terrorism.” Insurgent groups in Pakistan with ties to Al Qaeda and the Taliban are a threat to the government of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and a huge problem for Washington.Download MP3

Rape as a weapon of war

By The World ⋅ September 29, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to tackle a particularly disturbing tactic of war this week: the use of rape as a weapon. Perhaps the worst recent cases have been in places like eastern Congo, where armed groups have used rape to terrorize communities. Jeb Sharp talks with Anne-Marie Goetz of UNIFEM, the UN’s development agency for women. Download MP3 (Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)

Tough Choices for US in Afghanistan

By Matthew Bell ⋅ September 4, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

President Obama faces tough choices in Afghanistan. Things are not going well for the US-led mission there. There’s either a long, hard an expensive slog ahead. Or a pull-back that comes with its own risks.

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Afghanistan assessment

By The World ⋅ August 31, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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The top US military commander in Afghanistan has finished his strategic assessment of the war. General Stanley McChrystal says the situation is serious and calls for a new strategy. The World’s Matthew Bell reports.

Clinton in Congo

By The World ⋅ August 11, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded an end to widespread sexual abuse in war-ravaged eastern DR Congo, during a visit to the country. Secretary Clinton spoke out during a tour of a crowded refugee camp in the eastern city of Goma. Earlier, following talks with Congolese President Joseph Kabila, she said there should be no impunity for the perpetrators of sexual violence. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports. (photo: AP/Etienne Kokolo) >>>Click here for Jeb’s award winning series on rape in Congo (Jan 2008)

Mourning Britain’s war dead

By The World ⋅ July 28, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Main Street in the English town of Wootton Bassett, England has become a focal point for mourning British war dead. One of the town’s councillors tells host Lisa Mullins about the ritual that locals observe when the coffins of fallen soldiers are driven through the town.

Hundred Years’ War

By The World ⋅ July 21, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Rewind nearly 600 years for today’s Geo Quiz. Our quiz takes us to the scene of a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War between the English and the French. The year was 1415.