Middle East

Citing Proximity Of Israeli Election, Obama Won't Meet With Netanyahu

12:40pm March 03, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

A White House spokeswoman, said the U.S. wanted "to avoid the appearance of influencing a democratic election." Israel's election is March 17. Netanyahu is due to address Congress March 3.

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Israel's Netanyahu Says He Is 'Determined To Speak Before Congress'

12:40pm March 03, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The Israeli prime minister said his country has a "profound disagreement" with the White House on nuclear talks with Iran, and it is his duty to speak up on an issue that affects Israel's survival.

Secretary of State John Kerry told a House panel Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judgment on talks with Iran

Obama Administration Intensifies Criticism Of Israel's Netanyahu

12:39pm March 03, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Secretary of State John Kerry questioned the Israeli leader's "judgment" on talks with Iran. Earlier, National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Netanyahu's address to Congress was hurting relations.

World News

Ahead Of Netanyahu's Speech To Congress, Hints Of A Thaw

12:38pm March 03, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The Israeli leader will meet with Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., after his March 3 speech. Also, two senior Obama administration officials will address the AIPAC conference.

A handout image provided by the Israeli Government Press Office shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah, leaving Tel Aviv on their way to Washington Sunday.

Netanyahu In Washington For Controversial Speech To Congress

12:38pm March 03, 2015

by Bill Chappell

"The move has created bad blood between Netanyahu and Obama, and relations between the two countries have suffered," NPR's Jackie Northam reports.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 2015 American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference in Washington on Monday.

Netanyahu: U.S., Israel Agree On No Nukes For Iran, Split On How To Get There

12:37pm March 03, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

But, the Israeli premier told AIPAC, reports of a decline in ties between the allies were "not only premature, they're just wrong." The remarks come amid tensions between the countries.

World News

Netanyahu Speech: The View From Israel

12:19pm March 03, 2015

On assignment in Israel, Steve Inskeep talks to NPR's Mid-East Correspondent Emily Harris about the potential political impact in Israel of Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to the U.S. Congress.

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Advised By Iran's Military, Iraqi Forces Launch Effort To Retake Tikrit

12:19pm March 03, 2015

by Tom Bowman

Tikrit, home town to Saddam Hussein, had been captured last year by the group that calls itself the Islamic State, or ISIS. The new military offensive is relying heavily on support from Iran.

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World News

What's At Stake In The Iraqi Battle For Tikrit?

12:19pm March 03, 2015

The battle to retake Tikrit could say a lot about what happens next in the region. Renee Montagne talks to Vali Nasr, dean of the School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

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ISIS Video Shows Extremists Smashing Priceless Artifacts

1:41pm March 02, 2015

by Alice Fordham

Bearded men wielding sledgehammers are seen shattering ancient statues and friezes in the Iraqi city of Mosul. One of the militants says God commanded them to remove the idols and statues.