News events make for interesting TV viewing

Summertime TV viewing can get pretty silly, but this year developing news events warrant a welcome counterpoint.

It will be clear in the months ahead as news focuses on the handing over of power from the United States back to the Iraqis next Wednesday, followed by the Democratic National Convention (July 26-29) and the Republican National Convention (Aug. 30-Sept. 2).

On Sunday at 5 and 8 p.m., CNN offers “Countdown to Handover: A CNN Presents Special,” which will explore what will happen to Iraq after the transfer of power.

“I think it’s going to be a fascinating time,” says CNN’s Anderson Cooper, who anchors Sunday’s special.

In addition to analyzing the cost of the war, which the United States launched in March 2003, the network also plans to answer questions about who will be in charge of the country and what the transfer will mean for U.S. forces.

CNN will also analyze the U.S. exit strategy, how long that will take, the costs of the occupation and what role the war will play in the upcoming presidential election.