Teens Disappear In The West Bank, And Israel Blames Hamas
The Israeli military is searching the West Bank for three Israeli teens who were kidnapped last week.
Middle East
Iraq's Army Is Ineffective Against Islamist Insurgents
There are reports of Iraqi government troops just fleeing, dropping their weapons and shedding their uniforms. The U.S. spent a lot of time and money training Iraqi forces.
Using Social Media, Jihadi Groups Stay On Message
The Bowe Bergdahl exchange video released by the Taliban is the latest propaganda coup for jihadis on social media. Social media benefits jihadi groups because it is all about immediacy, not accuracy. Social media is changing the nature of jihad for young fighters as well. Some jihadis boast thousands of Twitter followers and are broadcasting their jihad for all to see.
Ex-Ambassador To Syria: Civil War Could Drag On For Years
Robert Ford resigned as U.S. ambassador to Syria earlier this year. He tells NPR's Robert Siegel that it became impossible for him to defend the Obama administration's policies in the country.
U.S. Policy In Syria Could No Longer Be Defended, Ex-Ambassador Says
Robert Ford served as the U.S. ambassador to Syria until late February. Ford says as the uprising became a civil war, he was frustrated by limited U.S. support for rebel forces.
Is Syria A Training Ground For A New Generation Of Terrorists?
According to Richard Barrett, the senior vice president of the Soufan Group, the number of foreign fighters in Syria has surpassed the number of those who have gone to Afghanistan.
U.S. To Work With Palestinian Unity Government Despite Hamas
The new Palestinian government includes Hamas, which the U.S. says is a terrorist organization. In spite of that, and Israel's objections, the U.S. says it will continue to fund the government.
Israel Furious Over U.S. Decision To Work With Palestinians
Israel's ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer tells Steve Inskeep that the U.S. should have no relations with the new Palestinian government, which includes Hamas.
Political Division Over Effect Of Swapping 5 Detainees For POW
In exchange for the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. transferred five detainees from Guantanamo to Qatar. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with Kabul correspondent Sean Carberry about the swap.
What's Next For Egypt After Sisi's Win?
In Egyptian elections this week, former military chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi won a decisive victory. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with Cairo correspondent Leila Fadel about what Egyptians are preparing for next.