NATO-TV

War and art have been interlinked since the dawn of time, and the war in Afghanistan is no different. War artist Anna Redwood visits the 7th Armored Brigade, also known as ‘The Desert Rats’ in Camp Bastion; her mission, along with metalsmiths from the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME), is to build a giant ten-foot rat out of old armored vehicle parts.

Bags of ammonium nitrate, explosive remnants of war, modern improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Unexploded ordnance is still a huge problem in Afghanistan and the largest cause of civilian casualties. With counter-IED now an integral part of the NATO training mission in Afghanistan, the battle against explosives remains a top priority for both the international community and the Afghan forces. Also available in high definition

In the last presidential elections, women voters and MPs faced persecution, death threats and violence. With 2014’s elections drawing near, NATO Channel speaks to female MPs who discuss the real issues facing female voters. With 2014’s elections drawing near, NATO Channel looks at the problems many Afghan women are still facing and what measures are being implemented to ensure free and fair elections.

In November 2013, fourteen selected Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operators, commanders and staff officers from the Iraqi Armed Forces started a series of basic and specialised “Train the Trainers” course to learn new techniques to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices. The aim of the course was to teach the Iraqi experts to recognize, visually identify and defeat improvised explosive devices and their components.

In 2001, after the fall of the Taliban, there was little in the way of a functional police force in Afghanistan. Instead armed militias carried out their own brand of justice. Now, police figures have surpassed 150,000, and building, training and improving the Afghan National Police or ANP is a priority. Produced by Jake Tupman.

After three decades of conflict, many young Afghans have only ever known war. But for the first time since its inception, The Afghan National Army has recruited a new breed of soldiers for a year of rigorous training at the new Afghan National Army Officer Academy modeled on the British Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

NATO TV meets three of tomorrow’s leaders and finds out what motivates them to fight for their country. Produced by Lalage Snow.

NATO Channel visits the surgery of Dr Mohammad Shirzad who is a doctor offering alternative treatment for skin diseases like vitiligo and epilepsy in Parwan, Afghanistan. The doctor who claims thousands of satisfied patients, uses the venom which he extracts from scorpions and snakes in his medicines. The doctor and his family have been working as alternative medical practitioners for over 215 years, despite their lack of formal medical training. The story follows Dr Shirzad as he diagnoses a patient and also prepares a fresh batch of medicine, using freshly harvested scorpion venom. Also available in high definition

Package about handing over security for religious heritage sites in Kosovo. Produced by Mike Muhlberger.

In Afghanistan eleven candidates are vying to win the next Presidency. Campaigning is now officially underway with posters and billboards up all around the country. The candidates have two months to win over the voters. Six thousand eight hundred polling booths are expected to open. Election day is April 5 April. Also available in high definition

A profile of the CEO and founder of one of the biggest construction companies in Afghanistan, Ishaq Sadat. Insights into the Afghan construction industry, in particular his company’s work on fire stations and ANA/ANP bases. His thoughts on the future of the Afghan economy.

Teaser: An Afghan refugee who drove taxis to support his family, Ishaq Sadat returned to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban to establish a highly successful construction business, creating jobs for hundreds in his home town of Jalalabad.