Middle East

World News

U.N. Official 'Absolutely Horrified' With Conditions In Syria

2:41pm August 24, 2015

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with the United Nations' top humanitarian official Stephen O'Brien about his recent trip to Syria. "This will be a lost generation," O'Brien says of conditions there.

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Afghan migrants arrive in the courtyard of the Greek coast guard offices on the Aegean island of Leros. The coast guard and local police fingerprint and register new migrants, most of whom can stay in Greece legally for only a month.

World News

On Patrol With The Greek Coast Guard, On The Lookout For Migrants

12:09pm August 24, 2015

by Joanna Kakissis

The coast guard crew encounters migrants — and smugglers — almost every night in the Aegean Sea, and the numbers are rising rapidly. Some come from as far away as Afghanistan.

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2,000-Year-Old Temple Destroyed At Syria's Ancient Ruins Of Palmyra

8:02am August 24, 2015

Islamic State militants are said to have destroyed a Roman-era pagan temple in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. Steve Inskeep talks to Liz Sly, Beirut correspondent with The Washington Post.

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British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif deliver a joint news conference following their meeting in Tehran, on Sunday, as the British embassy is reopened after being shuttered for nearly four years.

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After Nearly 4 Years, British Embassy Reopens In Tehran

2:46pm August 23, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The U.K.'s diplomatic compound was attacked by hard-line activists in November 2011. London closed it down and also expelled Iranian diplomats.

World News

Before It Can Hope to Fight Militants, Turkey Has Its Own Troubles To Tame

7:03pm August 22, 2015

by Peter Kenyon

At a time when the U.S. hopes Turkey can be a solid ally against ISIS, the country is facing multiple crises of its own: new elections, Kurdish unrest and a migrant wave.

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People gather at the scene after Syrian government forces allegedly dropped barrel bombs on the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, on May 30, 2015.

World News

Activists Call For An End To Deadly Syrian Barrel Bomb Attacks

2:53pm August 22, 2015

by Alison Meuse

Activists want more pressure on the Syrian regime to stop using the primitive and indiscriminate barrel bombs that have killed thousands in the Syrian civil war.

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In the ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Mea Sharim, men wear dark pants, long dark coats and black hats.

World News

Ultra-Orthodox In Israel: Keeping Cool While Keeping Customs

5:58pm August 21, 2015

by Emily Harris

Even in this month's 90-degree heat, ultra-Orthodox Jews stay loyal to their traditional attire: heavy, long skirts for women and dark suits and fedoras for men. Air conditioning helps.

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World News

Inside Iran: A Jewish Journalist's Exclusive Look

5:47pm August 21, 2015

Steve Inskeep talks to Larry Cohler-Esses of The Forward, who traveled to Iran for a 7-day reporting trip — marking the first time a Jewish publication had been granted a journalism visa since 1979.

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World News

U.S.: Islamic State's Deputy Leader Killed In Airstrike

5:38pm August 21, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali, described as running the finance, media, operations and logistics wings of ISIS, was killed on Tuesday near Mosul, U.S. officials say.

U.N. Criticizes Saudi-Backed Operations In Yemen, But U.S. Stays Silent

3:39pm August 21, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

The United Nations and others in the international community are increasing their criticism of Saudi-backed operations in Yemen, but the U.S. is still backing its ally.

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