It's no secret that covering the current situation in Iraq is a dangerous and difficult task.  It takes an especially skilled and dedicated reporter to pull it off.

John Hendren, who covers the Pentagon for National Public Radio, talks with us about the challenges of this particular corner of journalism, ranging from sand and heat to car bombs and kidnapping.  He is our guest for Episode 3 -- Dateline Iraq, which examines the rigors and reality of covering the ongoing story of U.S. involvement in Iraq.

An award-winning reporter with substantial experience, Hendren joined NPR in November 2005, following four years as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, where he also covered the military.  To view his full bio, click here.