What drives people to become war time reporters and run the risk of losing their lives in the battlefield? Perhaps it is a desire for adventure and glory. Many journalists, like Peter Arnett, gained their celebrity status from reporting live from the war-scene. It is a feather on their journalistic cap. As major wars do not come often within one's lifetime,for many it is a chance not to be missed. It is a chance to witness history as it unfolds.

This Iraq war has introduced the new concept of embedded journalism - journalists officially planted into the combating forces like interns on vacation training. So far 12 journalists have paid the ultimate price for covering this war. However I do not think news like this will deter any journalists from rushing to the next battle-front in the world. War journalists thrive on such adrenalin rushes. They are like people who participate in extreme sports and dangerous stunts. It is what they do. The impulse is almost a spiritual one.