Middle East

World News

Violence Reported During Yemen's Humanitarian Ceasefire

4:05pm May 14, 2015

Steve Inskeep talks to Andre Perache of Doctors Without Borders about the situation in Yemen, where a humanitarian ceasefire began on Tuesday. Houthi rebels have controlled the capital for months.

Queue Listen Now

Pope Francis meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on May 25, 2014. The Vatican officially recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty finalized today.

World News

Vatican Officially Recognizes State Of Palestine

3:43pm May 13, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

In a treaty between the two sides, the Holy See switches its diplomatic relations from the Palestine Liberation Organization to the state of Palestine. Israel said it was "disappointed."

Ahead Of Summit, Gulf States Doubt America's Mideast Policies

2:14pm May 13, 2015

by Peter Kenyon

Of the 6 Gulf nations that will be represented at a summit hosted by President Obama, only 2 will be represented by monarchs. The meeting's aim is to build support for a nuclear accord with Iran.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Refugee Arrivals To German Town Delayed After Shelter Is Destroyed

7:58am May 13, 2015

Steve Inskeep talks with Volker Herzon, the mayor of Vorra, Germany, about how the town plans to adjust to the arrival of migrants from Africa and the Middle East.

Queue Listen Now

Saudi King, Several Gulf Rulers To Skip U.S. Summit

1:31pm May 12, 2015

by Scott Horsley

After the White House announced Saudi Arabia's king would meet this week with President Obama in Washington, D.C., Saudi Arabia announced the king would send other Saudi leaders instead.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Kerry Flies To Russia To Discuss Ukraine, Syria Conflicts With Putin

1:19pm May 12, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday meets Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since the war in Ukraine broke out. Kerry is a true believer in face-to-face diplomacy.

Queue Listen Now

The Amiri Red Sea was one of many boats ferrying refugees, including some Americans, escaping fighting in Yemen to nearby Djibouti, across the Gulf.

World News

Americans Among The Many Families Escaping Chaos In Yemen

4:14pm May 11, 2015

by Gregory Warner

War in Yemen has trapped hundreds of Americans there. We hear from two Yemeni-Americans, a mother and daughter from Michigan, as they arrive in nearby Djibouti, having fled the conflict.

Queue Listen Now

Saudi Arabia's King Salman attends a ceremony at the Diwan royal palace in Riyadh in April.

Saudi King Won't Attend Camp David Summit

1:29pm May 11, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

A statement by the Saudi foreign minister cited conflicts. The king of Bahrain also said he would not be attending the summit on Thursday.

The Italian coast guard pulls migrants from an inflatable dinghy off the Libyan coast in the Mediterranean Sea last month. European Union leaders have submitted a plan of action to save lives in the Mediterranean.

World News

EU Proposes A Plan To Address The Mediterranean Migrant Crisis

1:20pm May 11, 2015

by Brian Naylor

The European Union presented a proposal to the UN Monday morning, hoping to activate a plan for handling the flood of migrants from the Middle East and Africa to Europe.

For many commuters, standing in the parking lot after driving to work wouldn't be noteworthy. But for rheumatologist Anas Muhana, it's a big deal. He's one of only 100 Palestinian West Bank residents now permitted to drive his own car, with its white-and-

World News

With Small Shifts, Israel Eases Restrictions On Some Palestinians

11:16am May 11, 2015

by Emily Harris

Older Palestinians can enter Israel without prior authorization; 100 Palestinian doctors are now permitted to drive to work. An Israeli officer describes these modest policy changes as an experiment.

Queue Listen Now