Pompeo Says The U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Syria Is Just A 'Tactical Change'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is traveling through the Middle East as confusion mounts over U.S. policy in Syria.
Kurds
'We Will Curse Them As Traitors': Syrian Kurds React To U.S. Troop Withdrawal Plan
After President Trump's decision to pull out U.S. troops, residents of northeastern Syria tell NPR they feel betrayed. Syrians, led by Kurdish fighters, have lost thousands in the fight against ISIS.
Prestigious Mathematics Medal Stolen Minutes After It Was Awarded
University of Cambridge professor Caucher Birkar, who fled Iran for the U.K., was among four people who received a Fields Medal in Brazil. Shortly after, his golden prize was gone.
U.S. Military Mission In Syria Endures As ISIS Nears Defeat
Up to 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria defending Kurdish allies. The threats come from regime forces, Iran, Turkey and even Russia.
Trump And Erdogan Talk, But There's Disagreement Over What Was Said
The White House released a readout of a call between the two leaders, but a Turkish source disputes the administration's account of the conversation.
Turkey Launches Offensive On U.S.-Backed Kurdish Militia In Syria
The U.S. views the Kurdish group as crucial to battling ISIS, but Turkey considers them allies of another Kurdish group it classifies as terrorists.
Turkey Says Trump Promises To Stop Arming Kurds In Syria
The U.S. policy of supporting the Kurds in Syria has been a sticking point in U.S.-Turkey relations. The White House cited "pending adjustments" to military support provided to U.S. partners in Syria.
After Iraqi Kurdish Independence Vote Backfires, 'I Do Not Regret It,' Says Barzani
In his first interview since pushing through an independence referendum that resulted in an Iraqi military attack, Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani tells NPR he's still "very proud" of the result.
Kurdish President Barzani To Step Down Amid Fallout From Independence Vote
Since Iraq's Kurdish region voted to secede last month, Kurds have reeled from territorial losses. Now, their president and longtime leader, Masoud Barzani, has declared he'll step down Wednesday.
In Major Reversal, Iraqi Kurds Offer To Freeze Their Independence Bid
Iraqi military forces have recently retaken control of areas held by Kurdish forces, such as the city of Kirkuk. Today's offer from the Kurdish government is not likely to defuse the crisis.