Middle East

Brett McGurk, Former Special Envoy For Coalition Fighting ISIS, Weighs In On Syria

5:03pm October 17, 2019

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Brett McGurk, former special presidential envoy for the global coalition to counter ISIL, about the current situation in Syria.

Grandfather Issam kisses his grandson Rayan goodbye before the 4-year-old left to enter Iraq. Issam did not have papers to cross. "Separation has killed the people. It's destroyed a generation. War is without a purpose," Issam said, crying.

Reporters' Notebook: The Moment Everything Changed In Syria

12:04pm October 17, 2019

Here is what it was like in the northern part of the country as the Syrian military started advancing to retake territory after the U.S. made way for Turkey's incursion against the Kurdish forces.

World News

Erdogan Adviser On Turkey's Attacks In Syria

7:32am October 17, 2019

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet with a U.S. delegation to discuss Turkey's incursion into Syria. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Gulnur Aybet, senior adviser to Erdogan.

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American Student Spends 4 Days In Egyptian Jail

6:11am October 17, 2019

by Merrit Kennedy

An American who spent four days in Egyptian jail tells the story of how he was caught at one of the government's now-infamous spot phone searches.

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How Germany And Europe Are Responding To Turkey's Syria Incursion

6:11am October 17, 2019

NPR's Noel King speaks with German politician Norbert Röttgen, chairman of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee, about Europe's response to Turkey's military action in northeast Syria.

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Questions Remain Over What Will Happen To ISIS Members, Families In Detention Centers

4:26pm October 16, 2019

by Ruth Sherlock

As Kurds strike a deal with the Syrian regime, foreign ISIS women in a panic to escape are reaching out to smugglers. This comes as ISIS circulates messages to coordinate help for escaped "sisters."

President Trump Defends His Decision To Pull U.S. Forces From Syria

4:26pm October 16, 2019

by Ayesha Rascoe

Defending his controversial decision to pull back U.S. forces in Syria in the face of a Turkish incursion into Kurdish parts of the country, President Trump said "it's not our problem."

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It's Unclear Who Will Continue The Fight Against ISIS As U.S. Pulls Out Of Syria

4:26pm October 16, 2019

by Tom Bowman

U.S. military members are on record saying the fight against ISIS will continue, but it's unclear who will carry on that fight after the U.S. pull-out from northern Syria, and the loss of a key ally.

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World News

Humanitarian Situation Worsens As Turkey Targets Kurds In Syria

8:15am October 16, 2019

by Jane Arraf

As a military offensive by Turkey into Syria continues, aid agencies are increasingly concerned. Tens of thousands of civilians in the region have been displaced by the violence.

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News Brief: Democratic Debate, Impeachment Probe, Turkey's Incursion

8:00am October 16, 2019

Democrats vying to be the presidential nominee see Elizabeth Warren as their biggest rival. Testimony continues in the House impeachment probe. And, a humanitarian crisis escalates in northeast Syria.

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