Chris Woolf

Christopher Woolf specializes in war, conflict and international relations.

I've been fascinated by the outside world since I can remember. Even as a kid, growing up in the UK, I remember being enthralled by pictures on the nightly news from the war in Vietnam. As a teenager I served as a part-time infantry soldier in Britain's Territorial Army. At college I specialized in international relations. I've worked in global news since 1986 when I joined the BBC World Service. I've reported for the BBC from places like Afghanistan and southern Africa.
The coffins of the victims in Tuesday's attack are placed on the ground at a hospital in northern Baghlan province, Afghanistan, June 9, 2021.

Commentary: How The HALO Trust helped keep me alive in Afghanistan

In the aftermath of the attack on Tuesday on The HALO Trust in Afghanistan, Chris Woolf, a former journalist for the BBC and The World, recounts how the group saved his life.

Commentary: How The HALO Trust helped keep me alive in Afghanistan
A member of a ground crew walks past American Airlines planes parked at the gate during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, April 5, 2020.

'American exceptionalism': EU travel bans show US is abdicating global leadership, former CDC head says

'American exceptionalism': EU travel bans show US is abdicating global leadership, former CDC head says
A black and white photograph of girl on a pony with two people around her

Teresa Romanowska survived Nazis, Soviets and cancer, but died of COVID-19

Teresa Romanowska survived Nazis, Soviets and cancer, but died of COVID-19
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during the opening ceremony of Iran's 11th parliament in Tehran, Iran, May 27, 2020.

Iran sends mixed signals on release of foreign prisoners

Iran sends mixed signals on release of foreign prisoners
A person on an orange bicycle rides past a billboard of people with masks

Baltic 'bubble' looks to reopen regional travel

Baltic 'bubble' looks to reopen regional travel
Donald Trump stands at a White House program

Nicholas Burns: US' ‘unusual’ absence from world stage is bad for Americans

For the rest of the world, it's "shocking" to see the US "so inert" when it comes to its leadership on the coronavirus pandemic, former US Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns tells The World's host Marco Werman.

Nicholas Burns: US' ‘unusual’ absence from world stage is bad for Americans
A close-up of the blue-gloved hand of a toilet paper packer who is boxing rolls of individually wrapped toilet paper to be shipped in Bangor, Maine, on April 7, 2020.

‘Sewage surveillance’ may be early warning tool in fight against COVID-19, says one study

A new study in the Netherlands has found the coronavirus in sewage. And in one Dutch city, the coronavirus was detected in wastewater days before any cases were officially confirmed through human testing. Can sewer surveillance serve as an early warning tool for cities?

‘Sewage surveillance’ may be early warning tool in fight against COVID-19, says one study
A close up of gloved hands holding a vaccine.

Research on COVID-19 vaccine shows unique global collaboration, says Ebola vaccine scientist

The World speaks with Gary Kobinger, an expert in special pathogens who helped pioneer an Ebola vaccine, about progress towards a vaccine for COVID-19.

Research on COVID-19 vaccine shows unique global collaboration, says Ebola vaccine scientist
Healthcare workers wearing protective face masks bring oxygen bottles to the emergency unit at 12 de Octubre Hospital, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Madrid, Spain March 30, 2020.

Health care workers ‘feel powerless’ in choosing who to treat for COVID-19

Amid shortages of medical supplies, doctors and nurses in the US are already grappling with hard choices on who will get critical care such as ventilators and ICU beds. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, co-author of a new study on rationing medical care, speaks with The World's host Marco Werman.

Health care workers ‘feel powerless’ in choosing who to treat for COVID-19
A woman in a red coat poses triumphantly in front of a group of happy adults.

After UK elections, could Johnson face a 'disunited' kingdom?

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party won a decisive victory in general elections Dec. 12. But will election results in Scotland and Ireland pose problems for a "united" kingdom?

After UK elections, could Johnson face a 'disunited' kingdom?
tanks on rail cars waiting for a parade in washington, dc

Tanks roll through Washington in biggest July 4 display of military pageantry since 1850

Troops, tanks and a flypast will give a military flavor to this year's Independence Day celebration in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump is re-branding the day as a "Salute to America." The shift is controversial but not unprecedented.

Tanks roll through Washington in biggest July 4 display of military pageantry since 1850
banners for nato in brussels

America has been at NATO’s helm for 70 years. Can it survive without US leadership?

The treaty was signed amid much fanfare in Washington on April 4, 1949. But as the world has changed, is NATO still relevant seven decades later?

America has been at NATO’s helm for 70 years. Can it survive without US leadership?
Ken Kraus receives a medal in front of an airplane

A Marine remembers Tehran

Many Americans remember the Iranian Revolution in 1979 for the storming of the US embassy and the hostage crisis that followed. That, however, was not the first time the embassy in Tehran was breached by protesters. The first time was on Valentine's Day in 1979. Marco Werman speaks with Ken Kraus, a sergeant in the Marine detachment protecting the embassy that day, about what he witnessed.

A Marine remembers Tehran
President Trump speaks at a podium while 3 bald men stand behind him.

Have '17,000 criminals' really been apprehended at the US-Mexico border?

President Donald Trump said Thursday that border agents had “apprehended, last year, 17,000 criminals trying to get across the border.” But that’s only partially true.

Have '17,000 criminals' really been apprehended at the US-Mexico border?
US Representative Adam Schiff speaking to reporters

Rep. Adam Schiff: We may see Mueller report 'by the end of the year'

The top-ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, says special counsel Robert Mueller may be close to delivering his report on Russian attempts to interfere with the 2016 presidential election and possible links to the Trump campaign.

Rep. Adam Schiff: We may see Mueller report 'by the end of the year'