In November 2007, undergraduate journalism student James Lee embarked on a rare journey as an embedded journalist with the U.S. Marines. After arriving to his final destination, Iraq, Lee explored and wrote about the collaborative efforts of U.S., Coalition and Iraqi forces, who struggle to bring security to the region.

One key component to that collaboration is the cooperation of Iraqi interpreters. Lee spoke with several interpreters who have been working directly with American forces. Lee also fielded questions from SF State students to U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians.

In this podcast (play bar located on the upper right), you'll hear what Lee learned from the interpreters and you'll hear the answers to the student questions.

Photos on the right are of:

1) Sergeant Alyson Haynes, U.S. Army

2) "Sabre", an Iraqi interpreter*

3) "Charlie", an Iraqi interpreter*

4) "David", an Iraqi interpreter*

5) Captain Christopher Ellis, U.S. Army

6) Specialist Julie Furtado, U.S. Army

*Actual name withheld and faces partially covered for safety.