Middle East

World News

Hundreds Of Refugees Die In Recent Mediterranean Shipwrecks

6:51am May 31, 2016

More migrants are trying to reach Europe. Ailsa Chang talks to Christopher Catrambone, of Migrant Offshore Aid Station, a not-for-profit search and rescue organization operating in the Mediterranean.

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U.S. Monitors Iran's Role In Helping Iraqi Fighters Take Back Fallujah

6:18am May 31, 2016

Iraqi forces have launched an operation to take back the city of Fallujah from Islamic State fighters. Steve Inskeep talks to veteran U.S. ambassador Robert Ford, who served in both Iraq and Syria.

Armed men in uniform identified by Syrian Democratic forces as US special operations forces ride in the back of a pickup truck in the village of Fatisah in the northern Syrian province of Raqqa on May 25, 2016.

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Shoulder Patches Spark A Diplomatic Flap Between Turkey And The U.S.

11:57am May 28, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The central issue: the Kurdish YPG militia, which the U.S. views as a key ally against the Islamic State in Syria, has been branded a terrorist organization by Turkey's government.

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The Balkans: An Often Overlooked Hotbed For ISIS Recruitment

8:16am May 28, 2016

When we talk about foreign fighters joining ISIS much of the focus is on Western Europe, but proportionally more come from the Balkans. NPR's Scott Simon talks with security analyst Adrian Schtuni.

People gather their belongings Friday as they leave a refugee camp because of an Islamic State offensive near Azaz, Syria.

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Doctors Without Borders Evacuating Key Syrian Hospital Amid ISIS Offensive

1:27pm May 27, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

ISIS reportedly has seized villages near Syria's border with Turkey, trapping tens of thousands of civilians. The evacuated hospital outside Azaz is the aid group's largest medical facility in Syria.

Avigdor Lieberman, who became Israel's new defense minister this week, visits Jerusalem's Old City on March 9. Lieberman's hard-line positions and controversial remarks have ignited fierce debate in Israel and beyond.

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Here's Why Israel's New Defense Minister Is So Controversial

1:34pm May 26, 2016

by Emily Harris

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has named hard-liner Avigdor Lieberman his new defense minister, a move that has ignited a fierce debate inside Israel and beyond.

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Iraqi pro-government fighters hold position in al-Shahabi village, east of Fallujah, on Wednesday, as part of a major assault to retake the city from Islamic State.

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U.S.-Backed Forces Launch Two Major Offensives Against Islamic State

8:11pm May 25, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The coalition has attacked IS positions in two areas of strategic importance: Fallujah, Iraq, and an area north of Raqqa, the group's de facto capital in Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (right), along with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (left), speak to reporters in London on May 12. They tried to assure European banks they won't be penalized for conducting legitimate business with Iran. Criti

John Kerry's Awkward Push For Investment In Iran

6:13pm May 25, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

The secretary of state negotiated the nuclear deal and wants it to work. He recently went to Europe to encourage banks there to invest in Iran.

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Aviation Authorities Examine Evidence From EgyptAir Flight 804

6:45am May 25, 2016

David Greene talks to aviation analyst Alex Macheras about the crash of EgyptAir flight 804. The plane plunged into the Mediterranean Sea last Thursday, while en route from Paris to Cairo.

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Israelis Hope Subsidies Will Help To Counter Skyrocketing Housing Prices

6:17am May 25, 2016

by Emily Harris

Data show housing prices have climbed around 80 percent over the past eight years. The trend is upsetting Israelis and alarming politicians as they deal with policies that helped cause the high costs.