Middle East

U.S. Reliance On Kurdish Forces In Fight Against ISIS

7:57am December 05, 2015

Kurdish forces have been an ally to the U.S. in the fight against ISIS. NPR's Scott Simon talks to The Guardian columnist Jonathan Steele about whether the U.S. owes something to the Kurds in Syria.

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When Russia began its bombing campaign in Syria, Russian officials said it would be a short-term air operation. Since then, things have gotten messier. In his state of the nation speech Thursday, President Putin reminded Russians that it took nearly a dec

World News

With Few Signs Of Progress, Russia's Putin Warns Of Long Fight In Syria

7:04pm December 04, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

"Terrorists in Syria pose a special threat," Putin says. "Many people there are from Russia, and if they win in Syria, sooner or later they will come to Russia as well."

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Week In Politics: San Bernardino, Calif., Shooting, U.S. Policy On Syria

6:53pm December 04, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with our regular political commentators, E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Brookings Institution and David Brooks of The New York Times. They discuss politicians' responses to the shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., U.S. policy on Syria and Trump's positioning with the GOP.

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#NPRreads: Jihadist Culture, Turkish Delight And A Christian Abortion Provider

6:36pm December 04, 2015

by Laura Wagner

Also this week: How classic video games are teaching computers to learn.

World News

Kerry Takes On Big Diplomatic Challenge: Reuniting A Divided Cyprus

3:27pm December 04, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State Kerry tried his hand at Middle East peace, and he's also trying to resolve the conflict in Syria. He's traveling to Cyprus, hoping to solve the decades old confrontation there.

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An Egyptian forensic expert checks the gate of the nightclub that was attacked in Cairo Friday. At least 16 people were killed in the attack.

World News

Deadly Cairo Firebombing Attack Is Deemed Result Of A Fight

2:07pm December 04, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Police say the attack that killed 16 people followed a dispute between employees of the club and some young men.

Ali Rezaian, brother of Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian — who has now been imprisoned in Iran for 500 days — brings a petition to the Iranian Mission to the United Nations calling for his brother's immediate release.

National

With Jason Rezaian Jailed For 500 Days, His Brother Visits Iran's Mission At U.N.

6:45pm December 03, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Ali Rezaian brought to Iran's Mission at the United Nations a petition for his brother's release that has been signed by 500,000 people.

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Cars drive past a banner of Saudi Arabia's King Salman that reads,

As Saudi Arabia Battles Its Oil Rivals, Prices Are Expected To Stay Low

6:17pm December 03, 2015

by Jackie Northam

The Saudis could push up world oil prices by cutting their production. But they seem to feel that would mostly help their rivals, like Iran and Russia. So the Saudis are expected to keep pumping away.

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World News

Family, 'Washington Post' Fight For Jason Rezaian's Release From Iranian Prison

3:09pm December 03, 2015

It's been 500 days since Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian has been imprisoned in Iran. Steve Inskeep talks to Ali Rezaian, about the efforts to free his brother.

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World News

British Lawmakers Approve Bombing Runs Into Syria

7:13am December 03, 2015

After 10 hours of Parliamentary debate, the British House of Commons voted on extending Britain's involvement in Syria. Steve Inskeep talks to Peter Westmacott, Britain's ambassador to the U.S.