Middle East

World News

More Israeli Settlements Could Scuttle Peace Plan

3:19pm December 20, 2012

by Philip Reeves

After the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to recognize the Palestinians as a non-member state, Israel announced it would expand settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. If completed, the project would effectively divide the West Bank in two, according to the Palestinians.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Egyptians Vote On Contested Constitution Draft

7:04pm December 15, 2012

by Merrit Kennedy

In Egypt, voter turnout is high in the first phase of a controversial constitutional referendum. This comes after more than three weeks of mass protests for and against the document and President Mohammed Morsi, leaving Egypt deeply divided.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Young Gazans Brave Fear To Welcome Hamas Leader

9:14am December 14, 2012

by NPR Staff

In many countries, the very young have zero interest in politics. After decades of conflict, however, Gaza is an intensely political place and its young people were out in force to give Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal a hero's welcome — even though many are still suffering the effects of the recent eight-day missile offensive.

Queue Listen Now

Patriarch Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem (center), splashes holy water toward worshippers after the washing of the feet ceremony in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem in 2009, during Easter celebrations. A cr

Israel, Christians Negotiate The Price Of Holy Water

9:13am December 14, 2012

by Anthony Kuhn

High-level diplomacy helped avert a disaster last month, in a dispute over the unpaid water bill of one of Christendom's holiest sites. The water company that supplies the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem said it owed $2.3 million. Eventually, the bill was waived — but the church now promises to pay going forward.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Chemical Weapons And The Syrian Civil War

9:12am December 14, 2012

After intelligence officials reported activity at Syrian chemical weapons sites, the U.S. warned Syrian President Bashar Assad he'd face "consequences" if Syria uses such weapons. Many questions remain about what chemical weapons Syria has and how they could use them.

Queue Listen Now

What North Korea's Rocket Launch Tells Us About Iran's Role

9:03am December 14, 2012

by Tom Gjelten

U.S. officials wonder whether North Korea's successful rocket launch this week helped Iran — another country whose nuclear program concerns the U.S. The two countries have worked together in missile design, but it's unclear who's helping whom.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Protests Against Egypt's Constitution Dwindle

6:24am December 12, 2012

Egypt's protest movement against the controversial draft constitution appears to be losing steam after a lackluster turnout Tuesday night. Opposition leaders had called for mass demonstrations, and they're scrambling to decide whether to boycott Saturday's referendum on the constitution.

Queue Listen Now

Dr. Mazen Kewara, an American vascular surgeon, trains Syrian doctors during a workshop in Antakya,Turkey.

World News

U.S. Doctors Provide Supplies, Training To Syrians

9:34pm December 11, 2012

by Deborah Amos

After months of revolt, Syria's health care system is collapsing, with half of the country's public hospitals destroyed. Yet Syrian doctors continue to treat patients. Now, a group of Syrian-American doctors is stepping in to help bring crucial supplies and training.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Syrian Army Said To Be Readying Chemical Weapons

10:55am December 11, 2012

Syrian officials deny having a chemical stockpile and insist they would never use it if they did. But a Syrian general, who defected earlier this year, confirms the chemical stockpile. He knows where the chemicals are stored, and he says rebel groups have been close to the stockpiles in and around Aleppo.

Queue Listen Now

U.S. Adds Syrian Rebel Group To Terror List

10:55am December 11, 2012

by Michele Kelemen

The United States has added one of Syria's main rebel groups to its list of terrorist organizations. Jabhat al-Nusra has claimed responsibility for several bombings that killed and wounded Syrian civilians since the uprising against the Assad government began in March of 2011. The U.S. describes the group as an outgrowth of al-Qaida in Iraq.

Queue Listen Now