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PBS Newshour and Jim Lehr examine Iraq in 5 part series, Aug. 31

By April MacIntyre Aug 26, 2010, 18:00 GMT

US President Barack Obama plays the ninth hole at Mink Meadows Golf Club while vacationing on Martha\'s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA, 25 August 2010. The Obama\'s are heading into their last weekend on the island before returning to Washington on Sunday. Barack Obama and his family are vacationing on Martha\'s Vineyard August 19-29. EPA/Darren McCollester / POOL AFP

PBS anchor Jim Lehrer will feature PBS Coverage of President Obama’s speech to the nation marking the end of the combat mission in Iraq beginning Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 8pm (ET) in a five-part series.

The Situation in Iraq Airs on the PBS Newshour Monday, August 30 – Friday, September 3, 2010

From PBS

The Pentagon reported that U.S. troop strength in Iraq dropped below 50,000 for the first time since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, one week ahead of schedule.  To mark the milestone, President Obama will address the nation in a major speech Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 8 pm ET.  Jim Lehrer will anchor PBS’ live broadcast coverage of the speech, followed by analysis with syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks. (check local listings.)

Live streaming video of the speech will also be available online at http://pbs.newshour.org; together with a live blog of annotated comments by expert analysts.

PBS NEWSHOUR’s coverage of the draw down of U.S. forces and the overall situation in Iraq continues throughout the week.  NewsHour Senior Correspondent Margaret Warner is reporting in Baghdad and she will present a five-part series of reports that will air daily on the PBS NEWSHOUR during the week of August 30 – September 3, 2010.

Monday             Are Iraqi forces prepared to accept responsibility for their security now that U.S. combat forces have left?

Tuesday            How safe is daily life in Iraq, 7 years after the war began?

Wednesday       Iraqi reaction to President Obama’s speech and the change of command ceremony as Gen. Ray Odierno returns to the U.S.

Thursday           What are the results of U.S. reconstruction efforts when electricity failures continue to be a major source of frustration for Iraqis, especially during the summer months when temperatures can reach 130 degrees.

Friday                What does political future hold for Iraq, when six months after national elections, the country still does not have a government in place?

You can follow Margaret Warner’s reports online at The Rundown: HERE

PBS NEWSHOUR is seen five nights a week on more than 315 PBS stations across the country and is also available online, via public radio in select markets and via podcast.