Hour 1
Now that President Obama has ordered a "surge" of U.S. troops into Afghanistan, it's time for another look at the "surge" that President Bush ordered into Iraq in January 2007. Among those sent into an occupied country spiraling into civil war and violence were the Army infantry grunts of the 2-16, a battalion nicknamed the Rangers. During their grueling 15-month rotation, they were joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter DAVID FINKEL, whose new book, "The Good Soldiers," was selected as a New York Times Notable Book of 2009, and appears on several year-end Best-Of lists. On today’s "Radio Times," DAVID FINKEL will help us understand what the surge in Iraq was like for the soldiers who fought it on the ground, before, during and after their historic tour of duty.

Filed under: author, military, world |

Hour 2
About 74% of American adults use the internet. Does our use of the net and mobile phones isolate us more or does it bring us together? A new survey says online social networks create better-connected, more engaged citizens. We’ll talk to KEITH HAMPTON and LEE RAINIE, authors of a new Pew Internet and American Life Project. Their research found internet users who maintain online social networks have larger and more diverse social connections than those who do not. We’ll also call out to JIM TAYLOR, PHD, a psychologist who thinks online communities are great for sharing common passions and ideas, but is concerned virtual friendships can miss out on three dimensional ‘real’ relationship development.

Filed under: author, social issues |