Middle East

Syrian Government Blocks Aid To Starving Residents Of Madaya

People in the Syrian town of Madaya are still starving to death. A U.N. aid convoy was finally allowed into the town last month, but it wasn't enough. Secretary of State John Kerry says that's because the Syrian government has surrounded the town and is not allowing enough aid in. Anti-government rebels have also besieged towns in Syria, which Kerry called "directly contrary to the law of war." Is starvation a war crime? NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to law professor Beth Van Schaack to explain.

Libyan Journalist: People In Benghazi 'Divided' Over How To Stop ISIS

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Omar al-Mosmary, a Libyan journalist based in Benghazi, about how life there is impacted by the Islamic State and other violent factions. He says half the city that was controlled by al-Qaida is now controlled by Islamic State. No one lives there except for fighters and their families. The residents who were living there have crowded into the rest of town.