Hopes Fade As Yemen Peace Talks Falter
Hisham Al-Omeisy, a Yemeni activist and analyst, talks with NPR's Scott Simon about the failed peace talks in Geneva, and what life is like in Yemen's capital.
Middle East
How The Kurds Are Succeeding In Iraq
Kurdish fighters have recaptured a strategic Syrian city from the so-called Islamic State. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Joshua Landis at the University of Oklahoma about the Kurds' strategy.
Istanbul Bookstore Caters To Syrian Refugees In Need Of A Good Read
The mere mention of Syrian refugees can conjure up images of families living in tents in the desert. But a bookstore in Istanbul serves as a cultural oasis and informal community center for Syrians.
In The West Bank, Facebook Posts Can Get You Arrested, Or Worse
A Palestinian man in Ramallah faces charges of insulting officials — based on his Facebook comments. This case and others point to the limits to free speech under the Palestinian Authority.
Saudi Muslims Mix Tradition With Shopping In Ramadan Celebration
Saudi Muslims are turning the holy month of Ramadan into a display of consumerism and commerce. It is traditionally a month of fasting and prayer that began with the first Muslim community, Mecca.
Islamic State Stitches Itself Into Fabric Of Seized Communities
NPR's Melissa Block talks to New York Times reporter Ben Hubbard about how the self-declared Islamic State has been digging itself deeper into the communities it has seized.
The Business Of Smuggling Migrants Across The Mediterranean
A family and a smuggler talk about how the smuggling market works on the Egyptian coast. It can run up to $5,000 a person, but kids go for free.
Europe's Migrant Crisis Spreads Ashore As Refugees Enter Bulgaria On Foot
Desperate refugees from Syria and other strife-torn nations are surging into Europe not just by sea, but also over land from Turkey. They are straining border guards of Bulgaria, one of the poorest nations in the European Union.
Peace Talks Fail To Stop Destruction In Yemen
Warring parties are in Geneva trying to settle the conflict in Yemen. Renee Montagne talks to independent journalist Sharif Abdel Kouddous, who is in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a.
Small Cafe Offers Refuge To Desperate Migrants Entering Bulgaria On Foot
The Syrian refugees streaming across the border into Bulgaria have proved a boon for one kebab house. It's one spot in Europe where desperate migrants have found work and a welcome.