Middle East

Egypt's Shifting Role As Mideast Mediator

11:50am August 25, 2014

Egypt has historically played a primary role as mediator in Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. But now, that role is in doubt. Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Leila Fadel about Egypt's shifting role.

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World News

Foley's Death Highlights Plight Of Journalists In Syria

6:26pm August 23, 2014

American photojournalist James Foley was killed this past week by militants from the Islamic State. Tess Vigeland speaks with Robert Mahoney, deputy director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, about the targeting of journalists in Syria.

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World News

GlobalPost CEO Shares Details Of Fight To Save James Foley

7:56am August 22, 2014

Foley was held hostage in Syria for nearly two years before he was killed by his captors. GlobalPost co-founder Phil Balboni tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross about the efforts to win his release.

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World News

Other Hostages Are In Danger, White House Official Says

11:28pm August 21, 2014

Kelly McEvers talks to Ben Rhodes, President Obama's deputy national security adviser, about White House foreign policy following the brutal killing of an American journalist by Islamist militants.

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This image posted on a militant website shows ISIS fighters marching in Raqqa, Syria, where the extremist group trains recruits, including Westerners.

World News

European Fighters Take On More Prominent Roles In The Islamic State

9:18pm August 21, 2014

by Ari Shapiro

The hunt is on to identify the man in the James Foley execution video who speaks with a British accent. An estimated 2,000 Europeans have left home to join the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

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The Dynamics Of Demanding Ransom From Nations

6:24pm August 21, 2014

Since the release of a video depicting the killing of American journalist James Foley, it has been revealed that the militant group Islamic State demanded millions of dollars for his freedom. Rukmini Callimachi of The New York Times explains how militant groups use ransom demands such as these for funding.

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In Covering Foley's Killing, Media Outlets Face A Difficult Choice

6:24pm August 21, 2014

by David Folkenflik

The execution of the American journalist James Foley by ISIS casts new attention on how news organizations cover graphic violence, and how they cover the risks taken by their own colleagues and peers.

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World News

Western Fighters Answer Mideast Extremists' Clarion Call

6:06pm August 21, 2014

by Dina Temple-Raston

The road to violent jihad has never been so smooth. Westerners hoping to join the fight in Syria, and now Iraq, can take a flight to Turkey and meet hundreds of rebel groups eager to train them.

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World News

Hamas Senior Leaders Killed In Predawn Israeli Airstrike

1:07pm August 21, 2014

by Philip Reeves

The militant group says three military leaders were killed in the strike in the Gaza Strip. Also, a Hamas official appeared to confirm its involvement in the killings that sparked the latest conflict.

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U.S. Reveals Failed Special Forces Mission To Rescue Hostages

9:59pm August 20, 2014

by Audie Cornish

The Obama administration's admission comes on the heels of the release of a video by the militant group known as the Islamic State, which depicts the killing of American journalist James Foley.

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