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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.

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

Global Politics
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

Obituary
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

Conflict & Justice
A person on an orange bicycle rides past a billboard of people with masks

Baltic ‘bubble’ looks to reopen regional travel

COVID-19
Donald Trump stands at a White House program

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

Global Politics

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.

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

COVID-19

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?

A close up of gloved hands holding a vaccine.

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

COVID-19

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.

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

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.

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?

Elections

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?