Middle East

World News

Private Sponsorship Programs Help Syrian Refugees Settle In Canada

5:10am December 24, 2015

by Jackie Northam

Canada plans to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees within the next 3 months. Nearly half are being sponsored by private citizens who commit to helping the Syrians financially and socially for one year.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani leaves after a televised speech in Tehran on Dec. 16. Iran has been dismantling parts of its nuclear program as required under an international deal, and some sanctions could be lifted as soon as January.

World News

Iran Sanctions Could Be Lifted As Soon As January

7:38pm December 23, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

The country has been dismantling parts of its nuclear program more quickly than many expected. When international inspectors confirm Iran has met its obligations, many sanctions will be lifted.

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World News

Jewish Suspects Claim They Were Tortured In Israeli Custody; Supporters Protest

6:23am December 23, 2015

by Daniel Estrin

Israeli authorities are trying to find the Jewish extremists responsible for a firebombing that killed a Palestinian family. Jewish suspects say they have been tortured under Israeli interrogation.

U.S. Tries To Exploit Islamic State's Financial Weak Spot

6:16am December 23, 2015

Renee Montagne talks to Adam Szubin, acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department, about efforts to financially isolate and cripple ISIS.

World News

Number Of Migrants Who Reached Europe This Year Tops 1 Million

7:05pm December 22, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to William Lacy Swing, director general of the International Organization for Migration, which estimates over 1 million migrants have arrived in Europe this year.

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World News

Syrian Migrant Gets Settled In Germany After Tough Journey

4:20pm December 22, 2015

NPR's Ari Shapiro checks back in with a Syrian man who made the trip to Germany this year. We first met him in the summer when he was in Turkey preparing for his journey.

First Mention: Introducing Al-Qaida To The NPR Audience

4:20pm December 22, 2015

We go back to 1998 for an installment in our occasional feature "First Mention" to hear when we introduced the term "Al-Qaida" to our audience.

Iraqi soldiers advance their position in northern Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, on Monday.

Iraqi Military Launches Offensive Against ISIS In Ramadi

11:25am December 22, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

The Iraqi military has encircled the city since last month. Now, with U.S. air support, it's pushing into the ISIS stronghold in the city center.

NPR's Steve Inskeep interviews President Obama at the White House.

Obama Makes 'No Apologies' For Fighting ISIS Within 'American Values'

2:53pm December 21, 2015

by Amita Kelly

In an interview with NPR, President Obama forcefully defended his strategy against ISIS and encouraged Americans to "keep things in perspective."

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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appears at the Democratic presidential debate at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., on Saturday.

Why Did Hillary Clinton Say The U.S. Is 'Where We Need To Be' In Syria?

5:27pm December 20, 2015

by Arnie Seipel

The statement received widespread criticism, given that ISIS still controls lots of territory inside Syria and inspired the recent attack in San Bernardino.