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Russia's Move Into Ukraine Turns Allies Into Adversaries

7:20am April 15, 2014

Russia and Ukraine were the major contributors to the Soviet army. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moscow and Kiev continued to cooperate. The recent crisis transformed friend into foe.

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Skiers at a resort in the Alborz mountains near the capital Tehran in January. Men and women used to ski separately in Iran. In recent years, they have been skiing together, though it is not formally authorized.

World News

Iran's Culture Wars: Who's Winning These Days?

1:49pm April 14, 2014

by Deborah Amos

Men and women ski on the same slopes. A rock band performs in the capital. It's all part of the constant tug-of-war between religious conservatives and those seeking more social freedoms.

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Between Friends, Family And Country, Ukrainian Police Lie Low

1:33pm April 14, 2014

by Ari Shapiro

As pro-Russia demonstrators continue their tense standoff in Eastern Ukraine, police are conspicuously absent from city streets.

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Ukraine Vows To Reclaim Occupied Towns By Force

7:33am April 14, 2014

by Ari Shapiro

Tensions are growing between pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine. The new Ukrainian government has pledged a "very tough" response to those occupying government buildings.

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Despite Havoc, Syrian War Sparks Hope Among Kurdish Minority

7:33am April 14, 2014

by Alice Fordham

With Syria in chaos, minority Kurds there hope they can realize long-standing ambitions for autonomy. Kurds who fled to northern Iraq from Syria will press those demands when they finally go home.

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Clashes In Eastern Ukraine Reportedly Turn Deadly

7:03pm April 13, 2014

Ukraine issues an ultimatum for pro-Russian militants in the east to lay down their weapons and withdraw from buildings they have seized. Clashes between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian protesters in the eastern city of Slovyansk turned deadly. Guest host Tess Vigeland talks to NPR's Ari Shapiro.

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Drought Could Complicate Already Difficult Food Crisis In Syria

7:03pm April 13, 2014

by NPR Staff

The World Food Programme is moving about 40,000 tons of food around Syria each month, navigating conflict zones and checkpoints. And now a potential drought could hurt food production in the country.

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On Russia's Google Maps service, Crimea is separated from Ukraine by a solid line.

World News

With Crimean Borders In Dispute, Google Maps Has It Both Ways

6:44pm April 12, 2014

In most of the world, the region is included in Russia with a dotted line. Viewed in Russia, the line is solid. Guest host Tess Vigeland speaks with John Gravois about the issues with mapping borders.

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Groups Disagree Over How To Aid Syrians Caught In Civil War

7:37am April 11, 2014

by Michele Kelemen

Aid has only trickled into Syria since the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling for more access to the country. Aid workers say bureaucratic obstacles continue to be a major problem.

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A Trip Into Odessa's Rich, Dark History

7:37am April 11, 2014

by Peter Kenyon

As Ukraine seeks international help to bring Crimea back from Russian control, residents of Odessa watching warily. The historic Black Sea port has been conquered repeatedly throughout history.

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