Iraq and Australia

Available for over a year

Alan Johnston introduces personal experiences, insight and analysis from correspondents around the world. In this edition, Prashant Rao sees how a team game can lighten life on the streets of Baghdad; Nick Bryant wonders what his newborn son will draw from each side of his Anglo-Australian heritage. Moheibis: a team game that bridges divides Iraq remains a troubled place, and still suffers shocking episodes of violence. Bombers struck in several cities last month, killing nearly a hundred people. US and Iraqi statistics show at least 2,600 violent deaths since the United States formally ended combat operations in the country a year ago. But, as in many places that are wracked by conflict, this is by no means the whole picture. Despite everything, millions of Iraqis are simply getting on with their lives - studying, working and raising their families. As Prashant Rao has been finding out, these days it's even possible to relax and have a bit of fun on the streets of Baghdad. A lucky boy in the Lucky Country Nick Bryant has just finished his assignment in Sydney. But he's far from finished with Australia: he'll carry on living there, and has strong family connections with the place. He was first drawn to live in the country by the woman who is now his partner -and their family's just got a little larger. Greeting the birth of his new 'bub' - a son - got Nick thinking again about Australia's pros and cons, and the society his boy is going to grow up in.