© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A New Push for Iraqi Security

Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, wearing masks to protect their identities, train at a shooting range outside of Mosul.
Charlie Mayer, NPR /
Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, wearing masks to protect their identities, train at a shooting range outside of Mosul.

During recent fighting, thousands of U.S.-trained Iraqi police, civil defense members and others walked off the job, refused orders or deserted. Now, once again, U.S. officials are hoping to improve vetting, training and leadership for Iraqi security forces. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

It's uncertain when Iraqi forces will be ready to assume the lead in their own security. U.S. officials concede that both training and the crucial element of integrating new troops with allied forces were inconsistent at best across Iraq.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Tags
Eric Westervelt is a San Francisco-based correspondent for NPR's National Desk. He has reported on major events for the network from wars and revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa to historic wildfires and terrorist attacks in the U.S.
Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.