Middle East

A view of the Silwan neighborhood from the City of David park, with the al-Bustan area at the bottom of the valley.

World News

Palestinians Fear Eviction From Their Jerusalem Neighborhood To Make Way For A Park

4:29pm July 20, 2021

An Israeli demolition last month revived fears among residents of al-Bustan in east Jerusalem's Silwan neighborhood. "Yes, Bustan is going to be demolished for a park," says Jerusalem's deputy mayor.

A Hard-Line Jewish Nationalist Is Accused Of Stoking Anger Between Jews And Arabs

7:40am July 20, 2021

by Deborah Amos

An extreme right-wing member of Israel's parliament is accused of stirring up violence. He, however, says he's standing up for his view of Israel as a Jewish state.

Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's said it will stop sales of its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

World News

Ben & Jerry's Says It Will Stop Ice Cream Sales In Occupied Territories

7:12pm July 19, 2021

by Daniel Estrin

The company said sales in the Palestinian territories are "inconsistent" with its values. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the move "morally wrong" and vowed to fight it.

Israeli Comedy Writer Discusses Satire In Post-Netanyahu Era

5:02pm July 17, 2021

by Deborah Amos

An Israeli sketch writer talks about making comedy after the ouster of Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister, and how to handle humor around the country's serious topics.

World News

Lebanon Sees Price Gouging Of Basic Necessities During Economic Crisis

8:40am July 17, 2021

by Ruth Sherlock

Lebanon's former prime minister has given up on forming a new government, as the country's political and economic crises continue to worsen.

How The U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan Affects Pakistan

7:27am July 16, 2021

As Washington completes its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Asad Khan, Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S., about diplomatic developments in the region.

Masih Alinejad speaks onstage during a conference hosted by Women In Cable Television on Oct. 16, 2018, in New York City.

The Journalist Iran Allegedly Sought To Kidnap Says She Would Have Been Killed

12:16pm July 15, 2021

by Steve Inskeep

Masih Alinejad, an Iranian American journalist, says she is the target of an alleged kidnapping plot recently described in a federal indictment: "It's just obvious that they were going to execute me."

Iranian Agents Are Facing Charges For Their Role In A Plot To Kidnap A U.S. Journalist

8:53am July 14, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

Federal prosecutors charged five foreign agents working for the Iranian government for their roles in a plot to kidnap U.S. citizen and journalist Masih Alinejad.

Pentagon Press Secretary On Pulling Troops Out Of Afghanistan

5:13pm July 13, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby about the U.S. decision to pull troops out of Afghanistan.

Iraqi Hospital Fire In Coronavirus Ward Kills Over 90 People

5:13pm July 13, 2021

by Ruth Sherlock

In Iraq, where COVID-19 is surging, the death toll from a fire in the coronavirus ward of a hospital continues to climb. Officials say more than 90 people have died and dozens more have been injured.