Simona’s Recent Stories
World Jul 28
Iraq’s record crop yield threatened by suspicious firesIraq is nearing record wheat production this year, even as widespread fires have destroyed thousands of acres of farmland in minority Sunni Arab and Yazidi communities. The Islamic State once terrorized the region in northern Iraq, where disputes over land…
Arts Apr 20
Stability gives Baghdad a chance at a cultural renaissanceBaghdad is experiencing a phase of rare stability that is allowing the community to rebuild its art scene. Iraq's capital city was a beacon for artists whose world-renowned works were supported by a sizable middle class. While decades of war…
World Jan 19
Iraq’s war heroes feel forgotten after war with ISISAn estimated 30,000 Iraqis who joined security forces when Islamic State militants attacked their country in 2014 were injured in the war that persisted through 2017, in addition to thousands who lost their lives. And now, the survivors and families…
World Dec 02
After losing most of its control in Iraq, ISIS is starting to reemergeAfter Islamic State fighters were driven out of much of Iraq, members of the terrorist group went back to collaborating out of plain sight and a conventional war there turned into a search for their bases. NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent…
World Sep 16
ISIS returns to Iraq, and a town confronts a new wave of terrorIn October 2017, Iraqi forces captured the town of Hawija from the Islamic State, taking back one of the militant group’s last remaining strongholds. But now, ISIS has regrouped in the area and continues to terrorize residents. NewsHour Weekend Special…
World Sep 09
Political instability facilitates resurgence of Islamic State in IraqLast October, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared that the Islamic State had been defeated but last month, the group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced that they were back and using new tactics. NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent Simona Foltyn reports…
World Oct 15
Why reporting from South Sudan is so difficult — and critically neededThe war has had a devastating impact on South Sudanese communities, but much of it has remained out of the limelight of international media.