America at a Crossroads

Eleven documentaries examining post-9/11 challenges around the world. First up: “JIHAD: The Men and Ideas Behind Al Qaeda,” which looks at radical Islamic organizations, including the beliefs that inspire them and challenges they pose to their governments and to the West.

“Warriors” details the daily lives of U.S. soldiers in and around Baghdad during 2005. Then, “Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience” explores an NEA initiative in which noted authors led writing workshops for military personnel. Featured are comments from writers Tim O'Brien and James Salter, and dramatic readings of the soldiers' works by actors Josh Lucas, Aaron Eckhart and Blair Underwood.

“Gangs of Iraq” examines the four-year effort to train Iraqi forces to “stand up”; and how the Coalition-trained Iraqi military and police have been infiltrated by sectarian militias. Also: “The Case for War: In Defense of Freedom” follows former assistant defense secretary Richard Perle, who championed the invasion of Iraq, as he defends the war; and debates opponents, including the wife of a U.S. soldier serving in Iraq, and former UN ambassador Richard Holbrooke.

“Europe's 9/11” looks back at Al Qaeda-linked bombings of commuter trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004, which killed 191 people. Also: “The Muslim Americans” explores how the Muslim community has fared in the U.S. since 9/11; and compares it with the experiences of Muslims in Great Britain and Europe.

“Europe's 9/11” looks back at Al Qaeda-linked bombings of commuter trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004, which killed 191 people. Also: “The Muslim Americans” explores how the Muslim community has fared in the U.S. since 9/11; and compares it with the experiences of Muslims in Great Britain and Europe.

“Security Versus Liberty: The Other War” examines the Bush administration's efforts to protect the home front from terrorist attacks; and the reaction of critics, who contend the measures have eroded civil liberties. Also: in “The Brotherhood,” Newsweek reporters Mark Hosenball and Michael Isikoff investigate the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization that promotes a fundamentalist form of Islam.