Story by Ivan Meyers

Matt Ford, MSJ06, reports from D.C. for Medill Reports.

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Five years after September 11, the United States is embroiled in war in the Middle East. Nearly 3,000 US troops have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. The death toll for Iraqi civilians is much worse.

Last month, American voters gave congressional power to the democrats and as Cortney Hall shows us in the lead story, we're waiting to see what's next. In the meantime, the military has come up with its first new policy on fighting an insurgency. Matt Ford shows what the brass is doing to shift its strategy to become more effective dealing with cultural differences. Amy Held reports about UN involvement in the ongoing, but oft forgotten war in Afghanistan.

Military families bear the brunt of the war. Katie Crowther shows how one young family is gearing up for daddy's year-long deployment and Vidya Anderson shows why so many other military families want their troops to come home now. Then, Stacey Delikat profiles the pitfalls some vets face when they return from war.

"In Times of War" also looks at the roles of three big, new players in the war against terror: Faith Okpotor describes the dangers independent contractors face. Laura Spadanuta looks at the expanded portfolio of the US Coast Guard, and Courtney Dunn introduces us to some of the dogs of war.

Produced by Mikaela Bufano and Alan Suderman.