Middle East

World News

Ex-Ambassador To Iraq Weighs In On Talking To 'Monsters'

2:01pm May 16, 2013

As the death toll in Syria climbs and critics blast the Obama administration for not taking more decisive action, former ambassador Christopher Hill points instead to a failure of diplomacy in an op-ed in the New York Times. Hill talks about what the U.S. faces in facilitating talks between the regime and Syrian rebels.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Syrian Minister: Removal Of Assad Means Destruction Of Syria

7:39pm May 15, 2013

Melissa Block talks with Syria's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Faisal Mekdad, about the upcoming international conference on Syria in Geneva and about the Syrian government's view of the civil war. Mekdad says the government of President Bashar al-Assad believes a peaceful settlement is necessary to solve the conflict in Syria. However, Mekdad says the replacement of President Assad "means destruction of Syria, means no international conference, and means support of terrorism." Mekdad says Syria will not participate in the conference with any preconditions.

Queue Listen Now

Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (center) waves as he registers his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election at the interior ministry in Tehran, May 11. Rafsanjani has been isolated since massive street protests in 2009 after

World News

A Sign Of Disunity? Iranian Candidates Jockey For Position

7:15pm May 14, 2013

by Peter Kenyon

The country is gearing up for a presidential election next month, and the lack of a clear front-runner, analysts say, is a sign the political elite isn't united behind a single candidate. The late entrance of a former president, in particular, will likely alter the shape of the race.

Queue Listen Now

Drawing Security Lessons From Benghazi Mission Attack

2:33pm May 13, 2013

The debate continues over the handling of the September attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya. But retired Marine Col. Gary Anderson says some important lessons have already been learned about strengthening diplomatic security and inter-agency communication.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Cameron: We Have To 'Step Up Our Help' To Syrian Opposition

8:41am May 13, 2013

British Prime Minister David Cameron meets at the White House with President Obama on Monday. Steve Inskeep talks to Cameron about the options for dealing with the Syrian conflict.

Queue Listen Now

Syrian Conflict Raises Thorny Issues Beyond The Mideast

8:28am May 12, 2013

The conflict in Syria has had repercussions far beyond its borders, with refugees streaming into neighboring states and countries around the world choosing sides. NPR commentator Ted Koppel weighs in on what the ongoing upheaval in Syria could mean for the rest of the world.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Could Syria's Civil War Become A Large Regional Crisis?

8:26am May 12, 2013

Two Israeli airstrikes outside of Damascus in one weekend signal escalating tensions between Syria and its neighbors. The Syrian government has said the attacks "open the door to all possibilities," giving rise to concerns that the conflict could spill over the border.

Queue Listen Now

World News

U.S. Point Man On Syria Meets With Rebels Inside Syria

8:10am May 10, 2013

Ambassador Robert Ford crossed into northern Syria on Wednesday. The secret visit was confirmed by Syrian activists at the media office at the Bab al-Salama crossing on the Turkish frontier.

Queue Listen Now

World News

The History And Politics Of Humanitarian Intervention

2:25pm May 07, 2013

Some are calling on President Barack Obama to intervene in Syria's civil war. Gary Bass, Princeton University professor and author of Freedom's Battle: The Origins of Humanitarian Intervention, talks about the political risks of humanitarian intervention.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Thousands Of Syrians Ride Buses To Refugee Camps

11:54pm May 06, 2013

by Deborah Amos

Morning Edition rides along with Andrew Harper of the UNHCR to the Syrian border. Roughly 3,000 Syrians each day wait for buses to take them to refugee camps in Jordan.

Queue Listen Now