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Sharon Behn

Sharon Behn is a foreign correspondent working out of Voice of America’s headquarters in Washington D.C Sharon has lived and worked in Kenya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mozambique, Portugal, Venezuela, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Her current beat focuses on political, security and humanitarian developments in Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

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Produced by Sharon Behn

May 21, 2016
Obama, Iraqi PM Confer on Crisis in Baghdad

Discussion, which stresses importance of dialogue among Iraq's political parties, comes day after anti-government protesters stormed International Zone
May 20, 2016
Baghdad Protests Turn Violent at Green Zone

After violence, International Zone turns quieter, but anti-government demonstrators pledge to return, with guns
May 19, 2016
Clearing One Iraqi City of IS Bombs Could Take Decades

In addition to cost factor, estimated at millions of dollars, physical complications of working in Ramadi, close to Islamic State front line, also complicate things
May 13, 2016
In Baghdad, Students Ignore War and Look for Love

Iraq is awash in violence and brutality. For Baghdad University's students, war is all they have ever known. But as VOA's Sharon Behn discovered on a visit to the campus, Baghdad students prefer to focus on their future, friends, Facebook and love.
May 12, 2016
Baghdad Students Ignore War and Look for Love

A look inside the walls of Baghdad University, where students juggle exams, job fears, fashion and friendships despite constant threat of violence
May 10, 2016
Baghdad Trying to Stagger Out of Political Crisis

Although protesters demanding political reform have retreated from Baghdad’s streets, underlying challenges to Iraq’s leadership and stability persist
May 06, 2016
Reporter’s Notebook: Back in Baghdad, to Protests, Checkpoints

Demonstration by Muqtada al-Sadr's supporters fails to materialize; officer takes verbal shot at journalist
May 06, 2016
Video of Baghdad Protesters, May 6 2016

VOA correspondent Sharon Behn spotted a small protest that popped up briefly in Baghdad, although new layers of security and blast walls are keeping protesters outside of the Green Zone.
May 06, 2016
Baghdad Security Deflects Anti-government Protest

Government set up concrete barriers around Iraqi capital fearing repeat of last week's turmoil when protesters stormed fortified zone, but demonstration did not materialize
May 03, 2016
US Navy SEAL Killed by Enemy Fire During IS Offensive in Iraq

Defense official tells VOA SEAL was killed by enemy fire during Islamic State attack on Kurdish Peshmerga position in northern Iraq
May 02, 2016
Tense Calm in Baghdad After Anti-government Protests

Opponents of status quo capitalize on deep public frustration with government corruption, political patronage and inefficiency
May 01, 2016
Baghdad Teetering on Edge as Iraq Plunges Into Political Chaos

Iraqi capital in state of emergency as protesters occupy parts of once secure International Zone; some lawmakers have fled city; military on high alert
April 28, 2016
VOA EXCLUSIVE: UN Says Iraq Faces Volatile Humanitarian Crisis

Iraq is battling vicious extremist Islamic State group, dealing with low price of oil, and facing growing political instability all at once
April 27, 2016
Iraq Army Renews Mosul Offensive

The offensive had stalled out for several weeks after Iraqi forces met stiff resistance after managing to retake just three out of an original target of eight villages
April 26, 2016
Concern Grows for Yazidi Hostages in Mosul

As military forces gear up to liberate Iraqi city from IS, activists urge care to prevent further trauma to women captives
April 24, 2016
UN: Fight to Free Mosul to Have 'Massive Humanitarian Impact'

Humanitarian agencies are warning fight to free Mosul from Islamic State control could have huge impact on civilian population caught in crossfire
April 20, 2016
Trapped Between Iraqi Forces, IS, Civilians Slowly Starving

Thousands trapped between Islamic State extremists and Iraqi forces in Fallujah are being forced to eat rotten food and soup made of grass to survive
April 19, 2016
Kurdish Officials: Coalition Airstrike Kills IS Military Adviser

Kurdistan Region Security Council says airstrike on April 16 killed Khaled Afer, also known as Abu Sarya, military advisor in Mosul
April 18, 2016
Iraqi Priest Rescues Ancient Manuscripts from IS Destruction

Father Najeeb Michael saves documents related to astrology, theology and philosophy; some date back more than 1,000 years
April 18, 2016
Iraqi Priest Rescues Ancient Manuscripts from IS Destruction

An Iraqi priest priest has saved thousands of ancient manuscripts after Islamic State miliants stormed his village. He left in the dead of night, packing as many people as he could in his car, taking them along with the manuscripts to safety in Irbil.

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