Israeli-Palestinian Coverage

A worker chips away at Jerusalem stone, likely destined for a building facade somewhere in the world. Stone and marble is a big business in Palestinian towns near Bethlehem. Quarries are in Israeli-controlled areas, and access can be a challenge.

World News

West Bank Businesses Seek Growth Amid Uncertainty

8:27am May 26, 2013

by Emily Harris

Political unpredictability in the region hampers all kinds of businesses: from stone-cutters and shoemakers to IT. Business owners in the West Bank say Secretary of State John Kerry's commitment to remove barriers to commerce might go further than actual cash.

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Ibrahim Shomali, a Palestinian priest, offers Communion under the olive trees of the Cremisan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This is part of a regular protest against Israeli plans to build a section of its West Bank barrier here, which would s

World News

A Decade In The Making, West Bank Barrier Is Nearly Complete

8:27am May 26, 2013

by Emily Harris

Despite much international criticism, Israel has continued building its West Bank barrier. It's now nearing completion, while the Israelis and Palestinians continue to argue over whether it will help or hurt prospects for a Middle East peace agreement.

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Soldiers of Israel's 33rd Caracal Battalion take part in a graduation march in the northern part of the southern Israeli Negev desert on March 13. The Caracal was formed in 2004 with the chief purpose of giving women a chance to serve in a true combat rol

World News

Women In Combat: Some Lessons From Israel's Military

10:39am May 19, 2013

by Larry Abramson

The U.S. will soon begin to open combat positions to women. That's already the case in Israel, where women say it is an important step but doesn't guarantee full equality. The military's upper echelons remain male-dominated.

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Kerry's Agenda: Priorities Emerge With Travel

8:29am May 12, 2013

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State John Kerry has been in office for less than three months and as he travels the globe, his priorities are becoming clearer. He's trying to find a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis, revive Israeli Palestinian talks and convince China to use its influence with North Korea to resolve that issue diplomatically.

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Syrian Conflict Raises Thorny Issues Beyond The Mideast

8:28am May 12, 2013

The conflict in Syria has had repercussions far beyond its borders, with refugees streaming into neighboring states and countries around the world choosing sides. NPR commentator Ted Koppel weighs in on what the ongoing upheaval in Syria could mean for the rest of the world.

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World News

Could Syria's Civil War Become A Large Regional Crisis?

8:26am May 12, 2013

Two Israeli airstrikes outside of Damascus in one weekend signal escalating tensions between Syria and its neighbors. The Syrian government has said the attacks "open the door to all possibilities," giving rise to concerns that the conflict could spill over the border.

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Diplomacy, Sanctions And A Nearing Red Line With Iran

2:30pm May 03, 2013

Sanctions have hurt the Iranian economy, but have so far failed to convince Tehran to abandon nuclear ambitions. A report from the Iran Project argues that it's time to re-examine the balance of sanctions and diplomacy. Others argue it's time to consider military options.

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Israeli students snap photos of the Syrian landscape from Mount Bental in the Golan Heights, which is occupied by Israel. Israelis have even watched Syrian troop and rebel movements from here.

World News

In the Golan Heights: Stray Bullets And Spring Cleaning

9:52am April 28, 2013

by Emily Harris

The Syrian civil war rages just a short distance across the frontier from Israeli-occupied territory. As spring blossoms around them, Israelis are watching warily.

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World News

How Chemical Weapons Could Change Strategy For Syria

9:51am April 28, 2013

British, French and Israeli officials say they have evidence that the Syrian government repeatedly used chemical weapons against civilians. Though the U.S. hasn't confirmed the allegations, the Obama administration previously said that the use of chemical weapons could provoke a stronger response.

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World News

Op-Ed: The Iraq War's Lessons For Syria

8:23am April 07, 2013

Washington Post deputy editorial page editor Jackson Diehl says that the Iraq War taught him a lot about how we should deal with the civil war in Syria. In an op-ed he argues that without U.S. intervention, Syria could produce "a much worse humanitarian disaster" than Iraq.

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