Middle East

As Iran Awaits Sanctions Relief, U.S. Raises Concerns About Lost Leverage

6:14pm July 23, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

Once inspectors determine that Iran is abiding by a nuclear deal, United Nations and European Union sanctions will be lifted. But some Iranians will remain on U.S. sanctions lists.

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The state-run Iran-Khodro plant manufactures vehicles including the Peugeot 206 car, shown on a production line in 2014 near Tehran. Iran's robust auto industry was built in response to sanctions.

World News

When Sanctions Lift, How Will Iran Spend Its Billions?

4:57pm July 23, 2015

by Peter Kenyon

Once Tehran takes steps to roll back its nuclear program, an estimated $100 billion in frozen overseas assets will become available. Iran has many needs to meet with its battered economy.

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Turkish Government Criticized After Kurdish Community Center Attack

2:08pm July 23, 2015

by Peter Kenyon

Turkey, one of the key U.S. allies in the fight against the self-declared Islamic State, was shaken this week by a bombing on a Kurdish community center that has the government fending off accusations of being soft on Islamists.

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People gather opposite Downing Street during a protest against the execution of a young woman in Iran, in October of last year. Amnesty International says that Iran has undergone an "unprecedented spike" in executions in recent months.

World News

Executions In Iran Undergo 'Unprecedented Spike,' Amnesty Says

1:57pm July 23, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The rights advocacy group says it has credible reports that Iran executed at least 743 in 2014 and nearly as many so far this year, executing on average three people a day.

'Washington Post' Urges U.N. To Help Free Reporter Held In Iran

7:26pm July 22, 2015

NPR's Melissa Block speaks with Washington Post editor Martin Baron for an update on Jason Rezaian's ongoing detainment and trials in Iran.

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Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with NPR's Steve Inskeep at the State Department. Kerry said if Congress or a future president reverses a nuclear control agreement with Iran, U.S. credibility will suffer.

U.S. Will Lose 'All Credibility' If Congress Rejects Nuclear Deal, Kerry Says

2:40pm July 22, 2015

by Sam Sanders

Secretary of State John Kerry tells NPR that Iran would use the deal's failure as an excuse to enrich uranium. He also says efforts to thwart warming diplomatic relations with Cuba would hurt the U.S.

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Ihab al-Aloul (left) and his sons Abdel Rahman, 9, and Ahmed, 22, at the family's pool in Gaza City. The Aloul family left Gaza in 2008 and moved to British Columbia, Canada, but returned to Gaza in the fall of 2014.

World News

Gaza To Canada And Back To Gaza: Why A Family Chose To Return

2:25pm July 22, 2015

by Emily Harris

After leaving Gaza City in 2008 for Vancouver, the Aloul family is back. War is heavy on their minds, but there are some surprising pros, including a lawn and swimming pool.

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After Iran Nuclear Deal, U.S. Defense Secretary Reassures Mideast Allies

7:47am July 22, 2015

by David Welna

Defense Secretary Ash Carter is in Saudi Arabia, part of a Middle East swing where he's trying to reassure American allies that their security will not be compromised by the nuclear deal with Iran.

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A man and a boy walk at a site hit by a Saudi-led air strike in Yemen's capital Sanaa on July 3. More than a million civilians have been displaced in recent fighting.

World News

In Yemen, Agony Continues As Civilians 'Bear The Brunt'

3:21pm July 21, 2015

by NPR Staff

An Amnesty International researcher provides a rare glimpse of life in Yemen, which the U.N. says is in the grip of a "massive humanitarian crisis." Will a new ceasefire help bring relief?

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Sen. Feinstein On Iran Deal's Critics: 'What Is Their Alternative?'

2:55pm July 21, 2015

The Democrat says she supports the nuclear deal world powers struck with Iran this week. She notes that Iran stuck to the interim agreement, and says the pact's critics haven't offered other options.

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