Campaign promises difficult to keep
Irish Examiner, Feb 9, 2009
This week as America marked the eight anniversary of its war in Afghanistan, a prominent female Afghan activist travelled to New York and spoke to Karen McCarthy about where the US went wrog on issues like women's rights, democracy and hte war on terror.

Sunni tribal leaders take on al-Qaeda with US support,
Irish times, Sept 4, 2007
IRAQ:The strategy of paying Iraqis as private security contractors and working with them is spreading, writes Karen McCarthy in Baghdad

Progress against Shia mafia is mired in distrust, Irish Times, Aug 20 2007
IRAQ; Karen McCarthy in Zafarniyah, Baghdad, reports on the US army's strategy for winning hearts and minds from the much-feared local militia

Locals now running former terrorist HQ
Irish Times, August 6, 2007
IRAQ: A partnership between Iraqi community leaders and the US army is beginning to pay dividends, writes Karen McCarthy in Baquba.

Inside the Triangle of Death,
Sunday Tribune, Sep 2 2007
IRAQ: Paradise is wandering through the lush green fields along the Euphrates River in the lazy afternoon sunshine, plucking ripened dates from laden palm trees, while children wave and parents offer chai tea.

There's only one thing worse than Baghdad by night... Baghdad by day Sunday Tribune, Aug 26 2007
IRAQ; The Green Zone is heavily fortified with checkpoints and 20ft-high concrete blast walls called T-walls, which have become such a part of the Baghdad landscape that they appear as characters with faces and hands in Iraqi cartoon strips.

The Deadliest Tour of Duty, Sunday Tribune, Aug 19 2007
IRAQ; Getting to Baquba, the headquarters of al Qaeda in Iraq that soldiers call the country's Òdeadliest placeÓ took four long dark nights travelling in armoured trucks and relentless heat. Many of Baquba's mainly Sunni citizens had surprisingly turned on al Qaeda and the U.S. Military had come in to support them.

Stryker soldiers think of family as return begins
The News Tribune, Sept 8 2007
IRAQ -- They're coming home after 15 months -- an advance party of nearly 150 soldiers arrived last week -- and family and cold beers seem to be the most eagerly awaited activities.
Baghdad takes notice of Stryker's work
The News Tribune, August 17, 2007
IRAQ: Fort Lewis' Stryker Brigade started securing an important area in south Baquba this weekend on the eve of a visit from the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq and a number of ministers from the Government of Iraq.

Stryker soldiers shift to reconstruction in Baquba, The News Tribune, August 11, 2007
IRAQ: Stryker brigade leaders played a central role in organizing a key meeting of politicians, locals and military this week in an attempt to restore the political process and basic services to the Iraqi city of Baquba.

Hunting Missing Troops in Iraq
Times Union, Oct 14, 2007
BAGHDAD PROVINCE, Iraq -- From a makeshift office at Dragon - the hulking base converted from an abandoned Russian power plant in Southern Baghdad Province - Captain Shane Finn prepares for an air assault mission across the Euphrates River.

Soldier on Trial for Fatal Shooting
Irish Examiner, May 8, 2007
"If you hesitate, you come home in a box and I didn't want to come home in a box," said Mario Lozano, the American soldier who is being tried for murder after fatally shooting an Italian military intelligence agent at a checkpoint in Baghdad in 2005. He was speaking to the U.S. media in New York on the eve of his trial in absentia in Rome.

Harlem sings a song of pride

McCain in trouble but rain may fall on Obama's parade
Irish Examiner, Nov 3, 2008
"There's no question Mr. McCain is in a difficult place," wrote political strategist Karl Rove, explaining the odds against a candidate winning the Whitehouse who's trailing in the polls like McCain is today.

Obama's mastery of technology mobilises voters
Irish Examiner, Oct 16, 2008
"This is not an election, it's a movement," said Melvin Colbert, a 20-year old student supporter of Senator Barack Obama who frantically worked to get everyone in Atlanta registered to vote before the deadline last week.

The truth the whole truth and anything but...
Irish Examiner, Sept 9, 2008
It's a frenzy of fibs and flip-flops, gaffes and attacks, and tall-tales from the campaign trail. It's election season when freedom of speech means no truth-in-advertising and candidates have free rein to lie to the voters as much as they like.

How McCain reignited America's culture war
Irish Examiner, Sept 9, 2008
It was an election about unity, non-partisanship and getting America back on track, until Senator John McCain reignited a war that could cost the Democrats the election.

Why Barack needs the scrappy kid from Scranton
Irish Examiner, Aug 30, 2008
It was the colossus of conventions. Giants of the Democratic Party hulked on stage. Senator Ted Kennedy passed the torch of America's first family to Senator Barack Obama declaring, "The dream lives on."

Looking for a vice to entice
Irish Examiner, Aug 20, 2008
Who brings youth, experience and enough razzle-dazzle to amp up Senator John McCain presidential ticket, fire up an apathetic conservative base and plug the holes in his resume?

Runners and riders in VP race
Irish Examiner, Aug 19, 2008
It's the rumour that has pundits and bookies aflutter - Senator Barack Obama is preparing to announce the Veepstakes winner by text message to the two million supporters who have bankrolled his gambit, just days ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado next week.

Can Obama really rescue America?
Irish Examiner, Jun 16, 2008
Obama-mania is sweeping the globe but campaign promises may yet prove his downfall, writes Karen McCarthy.

Time to have a word in Hillary's ear
Irish Examiner, May 10, 2008
With Hillary Clinton refusing to bow out of the Democratic presidential race, John McCain watches his hopes rise, Karen McCarthy reports from Washington.

It's the final countdown
Irish Examiner, Apr 19, 2008
Clinton vs Obama is how the Pennsylvania primary debate was billed last week, caputring the pugilism of the race, as the candidates gear up for Tuesday's possible make or break vote in the Keystone State.

Clinton must get back on message to cinch race.
Irish Examiner, Mar 6, 2008
She has a famous political name and a war chest of over $100 million dollars, so why was Senator Hillary Clinton fighting for her political life in four primary elections on Tuesday?

What do Americans want America to be?
Irish Examiner, Feb 19, 2008
Barack Obama is flying high, but Hillary Clinton is fighting back, writes Karen McCarthy in Washington D.C.

Campaign foot soldiers lead the Super Tuesday charge
Irish Examiner, Feb 5, 2008
"We have to fight," said campaign volunteer, Peter Yacobellis at one of the many "Stand up for Hillary" rallies that took Manhattan by storm over the last few days.

Maverick McCain is Republican Frontrunner
Irish Examiner, Jan 31, 2008
Propelled into Super Tuesday from the final Florida stretch, Senator John McCain's surprising and much needed victory over Governor Mitt Romney, has not only made him a bona fide frontrunner, it has stumped the punters who were left asking, "How did he do it?"

Two down, forty-eight states to go.
Irish Examiner, Jan 10, 2008
Karen McCarthy reports from New Hampshire on the fallout from the presidential primary and the likely direction Republican and Democrat candidates will take as the race to the White House gathers pace.

First blood to Obama in Whitehouse battle
Irish Examiner, Jan 5, 2008
Iowa caucus goers made US presidential primary history in more ways than one this week. After a record voter turnout, a blackman became a real contender, a Pastor's final lap became a victory procession, the Clinton juggernaut stopped firing on all cylinders, a Vietnam Vet redefined "winnable" and America's Mayor lost a dog in the race.

Democratic Debate,
Texas Feb 19, 2008

Democratic Debate
Iowa Dec 15, 2007

Republican Debate,
Iowa Dec 14, 2007

Republican Debate, FL
Florida Nov 30, 2007

Democratic Debate
Pennsylvania Nov 1, 2007

Democratic Debate
Youtube July 24, 2007

Republican Debate
Pennsylvania June 7, 2007

Democratic Debate,
New Hampshire June 5, 2007