Middle East

Countries Face A Variety Of Obstacles In Getting Vaccines In Their Citizens' Arms

4:23pm March 10, 2021

Mistrust towards China-produced vaccines, general vaccine hesitancy and distribution complications have all been obstacles in getting the vaccine out in some countries.

Syrian President Bashar Assad gestures while speaking to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during talks in Damascus in September. Assad and his wife, Asma, have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection, according to an official statement.

Syria's Bashar Assad And His Wife Test Positive For Coronavirus

10:20am March 08, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The couple received PCR tests after experiencing minor symptoms consistent with the virus, according to an official statement. Both are in "good health and in a stable condition," it said.

Pope Francis Concludes Iraq Trip With More Visits To Christian Towns

5:26pm March 07, 2021

by Alice Fordham

Pope Francis continues his trip to Iraq with a mass in a stadium in Erbil, home to many Christians displaced from other areas in the wake of ISIS.

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Pope Francis Holds Historic Meeting With Grand Ayatollah On Second Day Of Iraq Trip

3:28pm March 06, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

On the second of a three-day trip to Iraq, Pope Francis is focusing on interfaith relations as he meets with Muslim leaders and visits a church in Baghdad.

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Pope Francis Welcomed With Red Carpet And Military Band On First Ever Trip To Iraq

4:56pm March 05, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

The Vatican has sought to make a papal trip to Iraq, the traditional home of Abraham and now a shrinking Christian minority, since 2000. Pope Francis ended his first day there with religious leaders.

Pope Francis arrives at Baghdad International Airport on Friday for the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.

'I Come As A Pilgrim': Pope Francis Begins Historic Visit To Iraq

3:03pm March 05, 2021

by Alice Fordham

The pontiff arrived at Baghdad International Airport where he was greeted by the prime minister. During his four-day visit, Francis will focus on Iraq's ancient but dwindling Christian community.

Trump's Deal To End War In Afghanistan Leaves Biden With 'A Terrible Situation'

8:27pm March 04, 2021

by Terry Gross

The Trump White House agreed to a May 1 troop withdrawal. New Yorker writer Dexter Filkins says Biden must now decide whether to honor a deal that included the Taliban but not the Afghan government.

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Ain al-Asad military airbase, shown here earlier this year, was hit in a rocket attack, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

World News

U.S. Civilian Contractor Dies During Rocket Strike On Iraq Air Base

5:53pm March 03, 2021

by Alice Fordham

The Pentagon said the unnamed U.S. national was taking shelter and suffered a "cardiac episode," dying shortly thereafter. The attack followed U.S. strikes against Iran-backed militants last week.

Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary-General Jan Egeland visiting displaced families in the Muhamasheen community in Amran, Yemen, on Sunday.

World News

As Yemenis Starve, Humanitarian Relief Group Pleads For International Help

1:23pm March 02, 2021

Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council is on the ground in Yemen. The United Nations is asking for funding as tens of thousands are already starving to death and millions more go hungry.

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Iran Rejects U.S. Offer To Hold Direct Nuclear Talks

6:30am March 02, 2021

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft about the next steps the U.S. should take to get Iran back to the negotiating table.