https://maxbecherer.com/ 2026-06-24 weekly 1.0 https://maxbecherer.com/about-max-becherer 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://storage.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/1775141968867_20260320_NPC_MaxBecherer018.jpg Image https://maxbecherer.com/contact-now 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/klamath-river-project 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_5su13fx3_hh8268_BECHEREREDITING001.jpg National Project, The Klamath River | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View National Project, The Klamath River by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://storage.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_5su13fx3_uisqs4_KlamathSlideV3.jpg National Project, The Klamath River | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View National Project, The Klamath River by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_5su13fx3_g0iyhz_BECHEREREDITING002.jpg National Project, The Klamath River | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View National Project, The Klamath River by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_5su13fx3_gpzu01_KlamathSlideV2-jpg.jpg National Project, The Klamath River | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View National Project, The Klamath River by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_5su13fx3_zvtmex_KlamathSlideV1.jpg National Project, The Klamath River | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View National Project, The Klamath River by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://maxbecherer.com/photo-editing-investigative-project-va-benefits-abuse 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_yxshzu_BechererVAProject001.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://storage.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_5oy8cg_VAProjectSlideV3.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_1pc425_BechererVAProject002.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_hf6lq8_BechererVAProject003-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_x53lwx_BechererVAProject004-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_eaogea_BechererVAProject005-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_w31p2b_BechererVAProject006-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_s0qcqm_BechererVAProject007-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_hrwdzd_BechererVAProject008-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_0wn5kg_BechererVAProject009-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_pdjhnd_BechererVAProject010-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_b2zdhl_BechererVAProject011-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_yhjiw5_BechererVAProject012-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_1h8ocn_BechererVAProject013-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://cdn.neonsky.app/8nmkqw90/images/8nmkqw90_8o0vi39v_pe1cou_BechererVAProject014-copy.jpg Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse | Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor View Investigative Project, VA benefits abuse by Max Becherer-Visual Journalist/Photo Editor. https://maxbecherer.com/historic-louisiana-flooding 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/new-orleans 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/global-news-events 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/emerald-miners 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/afghanistan:-the-longest-war 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/home 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/the-dark-days-iraq 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark001.jpg Iraq War A couple crosses a Sadr City street which is being watched by two U.S. tanks the day after a peace deal was made between Muqtada al-Sadr and Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani in Najaf. Battles between Shiite militants and U.S. forces in Sadr City left three dead and 25 injured on Saturday. August 28, 2004- Sadr City, Iraq https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark002.jpg Iraq War A member of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mehdi Army fires a rocket propelled grenade at a U.S. Army tank, which has taken up position on the south side of Sadr City. Clashes between the Mehdi Army and the U.S. military continued today in Sadr City as maneuvers were being made to end the standoff in Najaf between al-Sadr and the new Iraqi government. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark003.jpg Iraq War Iraqis dance on top of at U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle that was left burning on Baghdad’s Haifa Street in the morning hours of Sunday Sept. 12. After a U.S. patrol of about six U.S. armored vehicle left the area, residents clamored on the vehicle and threw rocks at it even as the ordinance inside were exploding. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark004.jpg Iraq War In front of a wall painted with the message, "Vietnam Street: We'll make your graves in this place.." thousands of Shia men participate in midday prayers around the streets of Moqtada al-Sadr’s al Hekma Mosque. Sheikh Nasr al Sadr gave the sermon, which complained that the Allawi government and the U.S. were breaking the peace agreement that was signed in Najaf by storming a religious school in Najaf and disrespecting al-Sadr clerics. His sermon went on to list several other grievances but only hinted at any retaliation for these issues. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark005.jpg Iraq War U.S. soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 14th Regiment, Alpha Company, who are attached to the 1st Infantry Division, advance past the bodies of insurgents killed during the attack to take back Samarra from insurgent control. The operation circled the city of Samarra with four battalions. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark006.jpg Iraq War U.S. soldiers, with the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, Bravo Company, question a man charged with being part of a mortar and improvised explosive device team in the Islah Zeral neighborhood of Mosul. U.S. and Iraqi Army forces raided his home and detained four other men after receiving a tip from Iraqi Army intelligence that the men in the home were part of a skilled mortar and IED making team. The soldiers hoped that the detained men would lead them to their mortars, but they did not. The men were taken into Iraqi Army custody and then later released to U.S. custody. One of the men detained was a master sergeant in Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard, trained as a mortar man. A Mosul police station, called Four West, had received forty to fifty well-targeted rounds in the last few months by this team of men. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark007.jpg Iraq War Corporal Scott Horton pats down a prisoner to take him to a family visitation session at Camp Redemption in the Abu Ghraib prison complex. Once detainees greet their visitors, the U.S. solders will take a digital photo of them together and hand them the images before they leave. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark008.jpg Iraq War Detainees pray, as dawn breaks over the level-one detention area of Camp Redemption at the Abu Ghraib prison complex. The camp has level one to four detention levels with the level-one camp housing the best-behaved prisoners. This camp was built after the prisoner abuse scandal made the prison infamous. The U.S. released the buildings where the abuse took place to the control of the Iraqis and now runs its operations in this new camp. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark009.jpg Iraq War Crowds help to pull the body of a person killed in a car bomb in the Karada neighborhood of Baghdad, which killed at least four people and wounded about 15 others. The crowd carried the body down the street to emergency vehicles yelling "Allah Akbar!" which means "God is great!" The car bomb exploded across the street from the Shiite Abdul Rassul Ali Mosque. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark010.jpg Iraq War The light from a Marine's rifle illuminates a man he shot during house to house fighting in Fallujah, Iraq. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark011.jpg Iraq War Marines help Lance Corporal Enrique Mayer who was shot in the leg after being ambushed by insurgents. After fleeing the ambush Mayer found shelter in the home behind him. Mayer lay bleeding as the firefight raged. After the insurgents were killed Mayer was lifted out of the house when he became dizzy because of his blood loss and fell on his fellow Marines. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDark012.jpg Iraq War Yarmuk Hospital, Baghdad’s second largest hospital, treats children injured from unexploded ordinance, men shot during fights with looters and other serious cases. Bleeding wounds are controlled and critical patients are stabilized until the hospital’s single functioning operating room is available. Due to 12 years of United Nations sanctions, the hospital lacks basic equipment like heart monitoring devices and backup generators. https://maxbecherer.com/iraq-rebuilding 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn001.jpg A crane worker stands on top of a blast wall while helping to move it to open al Kifah Street and the border between the Sunni and Shia parts of the Fadhil neighborhood of Baghdad. The Fadhil neighborhood was a center of sectarian and militia activity but security has improved in the neighborhood enough to take down the blast wall on the main street that is traditionally a shopping area for basic industrial goods. Members of the Sunni and Shiite Awakening councils, Iraqi military and U.S. Army came together after iftar, the meal breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan, to celebrate the event. A crane worker stands on top of a blast wall while helping to move it to open al Kifah Street and the border between the Sunni and Shia parts of the Fadhil neighborhood of Baghdad. The Fadhil neighborhood was a center of sectarian and militia activity but security has improved in the neighborhood enough to take down the blast wall on the main street that is traditionally a shopping area for basic industrial goods. Members of the Sunni and Shiite Awakening councils, Iraqi military and U.S. Army came together after iftar, the meal breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan, to celebrate the event. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn002.jpg Dressed in their holiday best, Iraqis enjoy Abu Nuwas Park along the Tigris River in Baghdad during Eid Al-Fitr on October 3, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq. Because of the improved security situation, Iraqis in large numbers were able to celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr holiday with family picnics and walks along the riverfront situated opposite the American Embassy and Iraqi government compound know as the Green Zone in Baghdad. Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Dressed in their holiday best, Iraqis enjoy Abu Nuwas Park along the Tigris River in Baghdad during Eid Al-Fitr on October 3, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq. Because of the improved security situation, Iraqis in large numbers were able to celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr holiday with family picnics and walks along the riverfront situated opposite the American Embassy and Iraqi government compound know as the Green Zone in Baghdad. Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn003.jpg The crown jewel of the al Moosawi Mosque is this massive handmade, one and a quarter ton, crystal chandelier that was paid for and built by members of the mosque. Abdul Redha al Moosawi, right, who represents the al Moosawi Group, gives a tour to attorney, Dr. Florian Amereller, left, and General Manager Wolf-Michael Baeume of MDC, center in background, at the al Moosawi Mosque. The al Moosawi Group, a Shiite tribal congregation that has succeeded in maintaining successful businesses by staying out of politics during the ravaging civil war in Iraq following the U.S.-led invasion, represents 16 different businesses that include a hospital, real estate, and oil services companies. German attorney, Dr. Florian Amereller, and experienced General Manager Wolf-Michael Baeume are partners with Iraqi businessman Johny Paulus in the MDC Iraq Development Company GmbH. The newly minted partnership is the one of the first forays back into Iraq’s business market after the U.S.-led war in Iraq. The company is working with the German government’s liaison office for Industry and Commerce who operates out of a room in MDC’s office. The focus of the business is on serving the oil and gas, electricity, water, medical and construction needs of Iraq with high quality German products and experience. The crown jewel of the al Moosawi Mosque is this massive handmade, one and a quarter ton, crystal chandelier that was paid for and built by members of the mosque. Abdul Redha al Moosawi, right, who represents the al Moosawi Group, gives a tour to attorney, Dr. Florian Amereller, left, and General Manager Wolf-Michael Baeume of MDC, center in background, at the al Moosawi Mosque. The al Moosawi Group, a Shiite tribal congregation that has succeeded in maintaining successful businesses by staying out of politics during the ravaging civil war in Iraq following the U.S.-led invasion, represents 16 different businesses that include a hospital, real estate, and oil services companies. German attorney, Dr. Florian Amereller, and experienced General Manager Wolf-Michael Baeume are partners with Iraqi businessman Johny Paulus in the MDC Iraq Development Company GmbH. The newly minted partnership is the one of the first forays back into Iraq’s business market after the U.S.-led war in Iraq. The company is working with the German government’s liaison office for Industry and Commerce who operates out of a room in MDC’s office. The focus of the business is on serving the oil and gas, electricity, water, medical and construction needs of Iraq with high quality German products and experience. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn004.jpg People are reflected in a mirror of a roadside sunglasses vendor at Sulaymaniyah’s main market in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region. More merchandise is available for sale in Iraq’s Kurdish region since its border with Turkey provides a safe entry to the area. As the rest of Iraq struggles with sectarian killings and an insurgency, the mostly homogenous Kurdish north prospers and benefits from reconstruction projects. Since the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire, the Kurds have sought to have an autonomous country, and still today many Kurds express their desire to make themselves independent from the troubles of greater Iraq. People are reflected in a mirror of a roadside sunglasses vendor at Sulaymaniyah’s main market in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region. More merchandise is available for sale in Iraq’s Kurdish region since its border with Turkey provides a safe entry to the area. As the rest of Iraq struggles with sectarian killings and an insurgency, the mostly homogenous Kurdish north prospers and benefits from reconstruction projects. Since the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire, the Kurds have sought to have an autonomous country, and still today many Kurds express their desire to make themselves independent from the troubles of greater Iraq. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn005.jpg Empty Coke bottles sit on a break table next to a table of Iraqi dinars in the bank vault at the Iraq Middle East Investment Bank on Monday July 10, 2006. The rate of inflation in Iraq was recorded at 3.60 percent in 2012. That's progress compared to the all-time high of 17.2 percent reached in August of 2006. Empty Coke bottles sit on a break table next to a table of Iraqi dinars in the bank vault at the Iraq Middle East Investment Bank on Monday July 10, 2006. The rate of inflation in Iraq was recorded at 3.60 percent in 2012. That's progress compared to the all-time high of 17.2 percent reached in August of 2006. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn006.jpg Kris Murthi, a project manager for Kellogg Brown and Root, explains the operation of a South Oil Company gas oil separation plant where crude oil is piped from wells in the South Ramallah oil fields. In 2012 Iraq became one of the premier producers in OPEC with production reaching 2.5 million barrels of oil a day. Iraq sits on the world's third largest known oil reserves. Kris Murthi, a project manager for Kellogg Brown and Root, explains the operation of a South Oil Company gas oil separation plant where crude oil is piped from wells in the South Ramallah oil fields. In 2012 Iraq became one of the premier producers in OPEC with production reaching 2.5 million barrels of oil a day. Iraq sits on the world's third largest known oil reserves. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn007.jpg Iraqi Policeman Mohammad Nassir stands guard under one of the main bridges leading into the city of Nasiriyah over the Euphrates River. The bridges were key to attacking American forces in order to get their heavy tanks and armor over the river. Nassir was a child when the Americans first came in but he remembers seeing the Americans attacking several of the houses near the bridge on March 23, 2003. He now works as an Iraq Policeman guarding the bridge and watching for suicide bombers entering the city. Iraqi Policeman Mohammad Nassir stands guard under one of the main bridges leading into the city of Nasiriyah over the Euphrates River. The bridges were key to attacking American forces in order to get their heavy tanks and armor over the river. Nassir was a child when the Americans first came in but he remembers seeing the Americans attacking several of the houses near the bridge on March 23, 2003. He now works as an Iraq Policeman guarding the bridge and watching for suicide bombers entering the city. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn008.jpg A women kisses a child as the family departs a polling site of the provincial elections in the city of Baquba on January 1, 2009. Iraq will hold provincial elections in April 2013 in all provinces except for the disputed oil rich city of Kirkuk. Iraq's government has continued to lead the country after the American departure although discontent and protests are on the rise. A women kisses a child as the family departs a polling site of the provincial elections in the city of Baquba on January 1, 2009. Iraq will hold provincial elections in April 2013 in all provinces except for the disputed oil rich city of Kirkuk. Iraq's government has continued to lead the country after the American departure although discontent and protests are on the rise. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn009.jpg Shiite worshipers perform the evening prayer at the holy shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq on Thursday January 6, 2010. In 2004 Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army took over the shrine and fought American forces in the city in a bloody battle. Residents of the city have mixed feelings about al-Sadr's return. Anti-American cleric al-Sadr led Shiite resistance fighters against the American-led forces in several bloody battles before fleeing into exile in Iran over four years ago. His return to Iraq is being welcomed by his supporters. Shiite worshipers perform the evening prayer at the holy shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq on Thursday January 6, 2010. In 2004 Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army took over the shrine and fought American forces in the city in a bloody battle. Residents of the city have mixed feelings about al-Sadr's return. Anti-American cleric al-Sadr led Shiite resistance fighters against the American-led forces in several bloody battles before fleeing into exile in Iran over four years ago. His return to Iraq is being welcomed by his supporters. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn010.jpg People find protection from the 100-degree heat as they watch over 70,000 unarmed men loyal to the anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr march in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City in eastern Baghdad, on Thursday May 26, 2011. People find protection from the 100-degree heat as they watch over 70,000 unarmed men loyal to the anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr march in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City in eastern Baghdad, on Thursday May 26, 2011. https://cdn.neonsky.app/50aa5e49ea29f/images/01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn011.jpg Mohammed Qusai, left, gets instructions from his father on how to operate the buttons on a coin operated helicopter ride at the tent market in downtown Basra, Iraq on August 21, 2010. Helicopters have been a constant reminder of war for Iraqis as Saddam Hussein used them under the treaty of the 1991 Gulf War and terrorized Shiite resistance fighters who rose up during the Gulf War thinking the Americans would overthrow Saddam. Since 2003 American and British helicopters have been the main transportation of foreign soldiers around the country because the roads proved too dangerous. The current Iraqi Air Force has around 150 helicopters and plans to buy American made F-16 fighter jets. Mohammed Qusai, left, gets instructions from his father on how to operate the buttons on a coin operated helicopter ride at the tent market in downtown Basra, Iraq on August 21, 2010. Helicopters have been a constant reminder of war for Iraqis as Saddam Hussein used them under the treaty of the 1991 Gulf War and terrorized Shiite resistance fighters who rose up during the Gulf War thinking the Americans would overthrow Saddam. Since 2003 American and British helicopters have been the main transportation of foreign soldiers around the country because the roads proved too dangerous. The current Iraqi Air Force has around 150 helicopters and plans to buy American made F-16 fighter jets. https://maxbecherer.com/election-day-martyr 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8 https://maxbecherer.com/published-work 2026-06-24 monthly 0.8