Video Spotlights

Watch short glimpses of developments in Iraq and Afghanistan. New State videos cover  U.S. and international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts  in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The profiles were produced by the State Department, Office of Broadcast Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). (See the entire list of State Department video productions and video news releases.) IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION Iraq National Symphony Orchestra On December 9th, the Concert Hall in Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was filled with the sound of music and harmony as the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Symphony Orchestra rehearsed for their combined performance. This is the first trip the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra has made to the United States. Their historic journey from Baghdad was made possible through an on-going partnership between the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Kennedy Center.  At the evening concert, the audience included President and Mrs. George W. Bush. --12/19/03 Iraq National Symphony Orchestra [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] Length: 3 min. 15 sec. AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION Reconstruction of the Kabul-Kandahar Highway The once-torturous but now silkily reconstructed road between Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar was formally completed today in a ribbon-cutting ceremony presided over by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.  President Bush had promised Karzai that the road would be completed on time, and as Afghanistan opened its constitutional Assembly, the Loya Jerga, the road was opened. --12/16/03  2-minute  [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript]  also see Ring Road construction [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] Length: 9 min. 36 sec. Also see: Women and the Constitution [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] Constitution [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] PRT Gardez [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript]  "Afghan Spring" is a documentary on the renaissance in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. This documentary shows how Afghans are working with international coalition countries to rebuild their country after years of oppression, war and drought. "Afghan Spring" tells a story of renewal and hope. -- 05//01/03  Afghan Spring - [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [transcript] Length: 27min. 52 sec.  IRAQ HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

Basra Pontoon Bridge No bridge, no drinking water.  Since 1991, the Shatt-Al Arab River separated the people living east of the city from safe drinking water.  The liberation of Iraq has brought critical resources and innovation to this struggling country. --06/12/03 [Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Basra Pontoon Bridge [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] Length: 1 min. 28 sec. Umm Qasr Propane Distribution Watch this video as Kuwaiti propane provides not only cooking fuel, but important jobs. --06/12/03 [Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Umm Qasr Propane Distribution][DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] Length: 1 min. 23 sec.    Umm Qasr Food Distribution Iraqi town council leaders and others plan the logistics of moving food through a network of 44,000 shop owners throughout Iraq. --06/12/03 [Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Umm Qasr Food Distribution][DSL/Cable] [audio] [dial-up] [transcript] Length: 2 min. 24 sec.  Saddam’s Palace Extravagant palaces. This is how Saddam Hussein spent Iraq’s wealth. --06/12/03 [Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Saddam’s Palace [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] Length: 1 min. 31 sec. School Days in Umm Qasr Deliberate destruction and years of neglect have ruined the schools. There's much to do, but there is hope. -- 06/12/03  [Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Umm Qasr Schools [DSL/Cable] [audio] [dial-up] [transcript]  Length: 2 min. 47 sec.

The dawn of liberation See historic footage of Iraqis toppling a statue of Saddam Hussein.Witness the jubilation in Saddam City as the spirit of freedom is realized. -- 05/22/03  Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Baghdad Liberated [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] Length: Approx. 3 minutes Emergency health care U.S., British and Spanish forces bring critical health services to civilians who suffered during fighting in Iraq. Meet the medical staffs and see the field hospitals that are set up for immediate care.  -- 05/22/03  Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Coalition Medical Care [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript] Length: Approx. 2 minutes See the arrival of shipments of humanitarian aid and listen as Iraqis talk about their new-found freedom after the terrors of the Hussein regime. "We have longed for the day when Saddam Hussein was gone and now this day is made possible...and now the people are free from his oppressive rule." --04/23/2003  Iraqi Dockworkers - [DSL/Cable] [modem] [text]  Length:  Approx. 2 minutes MORE EVENTS IN IRAQ  New commerce possibilities via the port in Umm Qasr  When Coalition forces secured this port, they secured a future for the people of Iraq. The dream of turning this port into a vital center of commerce is finally being realized. --05/22/03  Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Umm Qasr: The Rebuilding Port [DSL /Cable] [dial-up]  [audio] [transcript] Length: Approx. 2 minutes Rule by the people, for the people For 30 years Najim Abd Mahdi has been a school  teacher. Now he is the leader of the town council in Umm Qasr, the southern port city in Iraq.  His duties are endless, but he looks toward a bright future where his countrymen work together to rebuild a great nation. -- 05/22/03  Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: Town Council Leadership [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript]  Length: Approx. 2 minutes Assistance to the people of Iraq Food and water is reaching the people of Iraq who suffered for decades under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. The United States is keeping its commitment to bring assistance to Iraq in the form of food, medicine, and support to the Iraqi people. --5/22/03   Iraq Assistance: U.S. Assistance [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript]. Length: Approx. 2 minutes Cheers for their homeland From Kansas City, Detroit, San Jose, and Denver,  Iraqi-Americans say  "Thank you U.S.A."  for bringing freedom from oppression to their homeland. See impromptu celebrations captured on tape as Baghdad fell and coalition forces secured the city and the country. --05/22/03 Iraq Humanitarian Assistance: U.S. Reaction [DSL/Cable] [dial-up] [audio] [transcript]  Length: Approx. 2 minutes Water delivery In Umm Qasr, Iraq:  Coalition military and humanitarian personnel rush to bring much needed aid as areas become safer for travel.  --04/23/03  "Iraqs Vital Resource"  [DSL/Cable] [modem] [transcript]  Length: Approx. 2 minutes

USAID Videos Since September 11, 2001, the United States has provided nearly $900 million for Afghan relief and reconstruction. The U.S. is working to build a safe, stable society that meets the needs of its people and eliminates an environment that breeds terrorism. Visit USAID's Rebuilding Afghanistan pages to view a number of videos on the rebuilding efforts.