Middle East

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2 Willful Leaders Heighten Tensions Between Russia, Turkey

2:21pm December 28, 2015

Near the end of this year saw a collision between the headstrong leaders of two powerful countries: Russia and Turkey. There are worries that a Russo-Turkish feud could escalate.

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Reflecting On A Year Of Europe's Migrant Crisis

7:57am December 27, 2015

In 2015, a huge wave of humanity fled war, persecution and hunger - and headed for Europe. Reporter Joanna Kakissis talks with host Carrie Kahn about the greatest migration the continent has seen since World War II.

Taking Back An Iraqi Territory From ISIS Control

8:29am December 26, 2015

Iraqi forces are engaged in battle for Ramadi, trying to drive out ISIS fighters that overtook the Iraqi city earlier this year. NPR's Linda Wertheimer talks with Alice Fordham about the offensive.

Three migrants from Afghanistan walk along the A3 highway shortly after they crossed into Germany on August 30, 2015, near Neuhaus am Inn, Germany. Police detained them shortly after and took them to a registration center for asylum seekers. Germany has w

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Struggling To Absorb Asylum-Seekers, Germany Steps Up Deportations

4:12pm December 25, 2015

by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Germany has been generous in welcoming refugees, but is stepping up deportations to dissuade more from coming. Chancellor Angela Merkel says many Afghans seeking asylum shouldn't expect to stay.

Zahran Alloush, head of the Army of Islam Syrian rebel group, speaks during the wedding of a fighter in the group on July 21, 2015, in the rebel-held town of Douma, Syria.

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Leader Of Prominent Syrian Rebel Group Believed Killed By Airstrike

4:02pm December 25, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

Zahran Alloush was a controversial figure, at odds with the Syrian regime, ISIS, and secular activists.

Abdullah Kurdi, father of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi, who drowned off Turkey, stands in front of his neighbor's house on Sept. 6 in Kobani, Syria.

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Father Of Drowned 3-Year-Old Syrian Delivers Christmas Message

3:02pm December 25, 2015

by Merrit Kennedy

The father of toddler Aylan Kurdi calls for "the whole world to open its doors to Syrians" fleeing the country's bloody civil war.

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U.S. Hostages Held In Iran For 444 Days Finally To Get Compensated

6:11am December 25, 2015

When former U.S. Marine Rocky Sickmann found out about the compensation, he pulled over to the side of the road and sobbed. He talked to David Greene about his experience 30 years ago.

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Ongoing Violence Mutes West Bank's Christmas Celebrations

5:33am December 25, 2015

by Daniel Estrin

Several Palestinians were killed as they attempted attacks, Israeli officials say. Palestinian security officials say they arrested Islamic extremists to prevent potential attacks.

As Christians Flee, Governments Pressured To Declare ISIS Guilty Of Genocide

6:17am December 24, 2015

by Tom Gjelten

The Christian population is dropping in areas where Islamic State fighters are targeting religious minorities. At least a thousand Christians have been killed. Hundreds of thousands have fled.

World News

Private Sponsorship Programs Help Syrian Refugees Settle In Canada

5:10am December 24, 2015

by Jackie Northam

Canada plans to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees within the next 3 months. Nearly half are being sponsored by private citizens who commit to helping the Syrians financially and socially for one year.