North America

By Mariano Castillo, special to the Pulitzer Center

Mariano Castillo's contribution is the result of a partnership between the Pulitzer Center and the Columbia University course "Wired World," taught by Anya Schiffrin, Tom Glaisyer, and Jed Miller. Mariano is the former Border Bureau Chief for the San Antonio Express-News, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in International Affairs at the School of International and Public Affairsat Columbia University.

These images of Alaska Glaciers were taken by photographer Jeffrey Barbee, on assignment for the Pulitzer Center. Additional work by Barbee can be found on his website.

These images of Alaska Glaciers were taken by photographer Jeffrey Barbee, on assignment for the Pulitzer Center. Additional work by Barbee can be found on his website.

JUNEAU, ALASKA – Fueled by hasty mouthfuls of chocolate and leftover pork chops, we push our skis across the fresh snow of the Juneau Icefield. The late-afternoon snowstorm is thickening, and the shifting, growling crevasses of the Vaughan Lewis Icefall threaten to swallow us if we lose sight of our marked path.

JUNEAU, ALASKA – Professor Maynard Miller doesn't mince words. "This isn't a trip to Jamaica!" he growls. "This is an expedition!"  

Take a dozen journalists, half from the United States and half from countries throughout the Middle East. Put them together for a week of workshops and reporting in war-scarred, volatile Lebanon.Then watch the sparks fly -- and assumptions die.

Karen Hughes says that when she agreed earlier this year to become America's point person on public diplomacy, with a special emphasis on reaching out to Muslims, she read every report on the subject she could find.

Randall “Ismail” Royer grew up in Manchester and is a graduate of Parkway South High School. A Muslim convert, he pleaded guilty last year to federal charges of helping a pro-Pakistani Muslim group fight Indian forces in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

As Attorney General Alberto Gonzales stumbled through an awkward pre-Thanksgiving defense of the administration's counter-terrorism legal strategy, he couldn't know that a jury in an Alexandria, Va., federal court was about to give that strategy a boost.

As Sheikh Shaker el Sayed stood before his congregation for the start of Friday prayers last month at Dar al-Hijrah Mosque, he looked out upon a community that was in distress but strong in faith.

When Ruqqayah Collector led a protest march last month through the downtown streets of this old industrial city, she was making a stand for justice, for her faith and, not least, for her hometown.