Middle East

World News

Iran's President Says His Country Will Stick To Nuclear Deal

12:23pm September 28, 2015

by Steve Inskeep

In an interview with Steve Inskeep, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says his country will abide by the recent nuclear deal, but he acknowledges there are opponents of the agreement in his country.

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World News

Saudi Arabia Sensitive To Criticism Over Deadly Hajj Stampede

10:33am September 28, 2015

This week over 700 people died in a stampede at the Hajj, inciting criticism from Iran of Saudi Arabia. NPR's Scott Simon speaks to analyst Gary Sick about what the incident means for the region.

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President Obama And Putin To Meet For The First Time In 2 Years

10:32am September 28, 2015

President Obama and Putin meet on Monday about Russia's military buildup in Syria. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, about their first meeting in years.

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani prepares to speak with NPR's Steve Inskeep on Saturday in New York. Rouhani reaffirmed Iran's commitment to the nuclear deal and said his country would be willing to discuss Syria's future with the United States â aft

World News

Iran's President: 'Driving Out The Terrorists' Is Key To Syria's Future

9:46am September 28, 2015

by Steve Inskeep

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reaffirms his commitment to the nuclear deal and tells NPR's Steve Inskeep that Iran is willing to discuss Syria's future with the U.S. — only after ISIS is defeated.

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Iran's President Hassan Rouhani prepares to speak with NPR's Steve Inskeep on Saturday in New York City. Rouhani spoke about the recent nuclear deal between the United States and Iran.

World News

Rouhani: There Are 'Differing Viewpoints' In Iran Over Nuclear Deal

8:00am September 28, 2015

by Scott Neuman

In an interview with Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep, the Iranian president says there are some in his country who are skeptical of Washington's desire to live up to its end of the bargain.

World News

Death Toll In Hajj Stampede Rises To 769

7:05am September 28, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Saudi Arabia announced the new figure, up from 717 on Friday. Meanwhile, Iran has said the tragedy is "not incompetence ... [but] a crime" due to lax security during the pilgrimage.

A refugee boy plays a violin as hundreds of migrants are blocked from marching down a highway toward Turkey's western border with Greece and Bulgaria on Saturday. Turkey has some 2 million refugees, mostly from Syria, but says they will not be allowed to

World News

Turkey Absorbs 2 Million Refugees, But Won't Offer Asylum

6:05am September 28, 2015

by Peter Kenyon

Turkey has taken in more Syrians than any other country, by far. But under a policy dating back to 1951, it doesn't offer asylum to refugees and expects them to be permanently resettled elsewhere.

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World News

Prosecutors Take Law To Human Smugglers, Using Tools Sharpened Against Mafia

12:55pm September 27, 2015

by NPR Staff

Prosecutors in Sicily are tracking the smuggling networks sending migrants into Italy. One of these prosecutors, Gery Ferarra, says smugglers are organized criminal groups much like the Cosa Nostra.

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National

U.S.-Trained Syrian Rebels Gave Equipment To Al-Qaida-Linked Group

12:18pm September 27, 2015

U.S. Central Command says the rebel fighters apparently turned over the equipment in return for safe passage in the region. Correspondent Tom Bowman tells NPR's Scott Simon more.

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Iraq Says It Will Share Anti-ISIS Intelligence With Iran, Russia

11:41am September 27, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The announcement from Baghdad came as France said it had conducted its first airstrikes against the Islamic State group.