The Daily Grind in Iraq

You know the news out of Iraq these days: the surge seems to be working, at least for now. Some refugees are trickling back in. The U.S. military complains that Iraq's politicians aren't doing their part to stabilize the country. Foreign jihadis are on the run. There's still not much oil flowing.

To Iraqi citizens these headlines don't exactly ring false — but they don't really speak to their daily struggles to stay alive and look ahead to when this mess is over.

This hour, On Point: On being a civilian in Iraq today. Life? Maybe. Liberty and the pursuit of happiness? You've got to be kidding.Guests:

Sarah Sewall, director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, she served during the Clinton administration as the first deputy assistant secretary of defense for peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance.

Dr. Najib Hanoudi, an Iraqi ophthalmologist and former resident of Baghdad, now residing in the United States.

Kristele Younes, an advocate and analyst for Refugees International.

Michael Youash, project director for Iraq Sustainable Democracy Project.