The Saudi-Iran rivalry has been a fundamental fault line in the Middle East for decades and complicates most every major issue in the region, from the Syrian civil war to global oil markets.
Saudi Arabia carried out 47 executions. David Greene talks to Angus McDowell of Reuters about the individuals who were put to death, the timing of the executions and reaction from the region.
After Saudi Arabia executed 47 people on terrorism charges, protesters in Iran set fire to the Saudi embassy. Renee Montagne talks to Thomas Erdbrink, the Tehran correspondent for The New York Times.
Egypt has shut down a free Facebook service called Free Basics. The government says it's a licensing issue, but critics say the Egyptian government is stifling freedom of expression.
A cold war in the Middle East just turned a lot hotter. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni power, and Iran, a Shiite one, have long been bitter rivals, but always maintained diplomatic relations — until now.
Egypt's Al Azhar is a center of Sunni scholarship and is seen as a possible counter to the ideology espoused by ISIS. But its message is undermined by its close relationship with a Western-backed Egyptian regime that crushes dissent.
As Nigeria's new president cracks down on former officials who embezzled billions, corruption remains endemic. And sometimes that corruption can have tragic consequences.
Until recently, retired Marine Gen. John Allen led the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Allen about U.S. strategy in Iraq and Syria and whether it's working.
Saudi Arabia executed 47 prisoners charged with terrorism Saturday, sparking sectarian outrage across the region. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with NPR's Deb Amos about how the events have further divided Sunnis and Shiites.