Middle East

Smoke rises from the Syrian town of Tal Abyad on Thursday on the second day of Turkey's military operation against Kurdish forces. President Trump's decision to pull back U.S. forces from the area has been viewed as giving Turkey a green light for the ope

Trump's Fights With GOP Over Syria Come At The 'Worst Possible Moment'

9:37am October 11, 2019

by Franco Ordoñez

The president has angered many in the GOP with his abrupt decision to move U.S. troops in Syria. The move comes as congressional Republicans are also trying to defend Trump from being impeached.

Trump's Strategy In Syria Is A Strategic Blunder, Retired General Says

7:54am October 11, 2019

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Retired Gen. Jack Keane about the White House's strategy moving U.S. troops out of northern Syria. Turkish troops entered the area and are attacking Kurdish forces.

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World News

In Northern Syria, Troops From Turkey Advance On Kurdish Forces

6:25am October 11, 2019

by Peter Kenyon

Turkish troops continue their offensive in Northern Syria, leaving Kurdish-led forces under threat of being driven out.

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News Brief: Turkey-Kurds Battle, Impeachment Poll, U.S. Businesses In China

6:02am October 11, 2019

The Turkish assault in northern Syria continues. A new NPR poll shows a slim majority of Americans approve of the Trump impeachment inquiry. And, why U.S. companies are caught in China's cross hairs.

In this photo taken from the Turkish side of the border between Turkey and Syria, smoke billows from a fire inside Syria during bombardment by Turkish forces on Wednesday.

Civilians Flee As Turkish Forces Strike Kurds In Northern Syria

8:37pm October 10, 2019

by Scott Neuman

The attack that began Wednesday has uprooted civilians in the area. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insists that the Trump administration did not "greenlight" the incursion.

World News

Turkey Launches Offensive Against Kurds In Northern Syria

11:04am October 10, 2019

by Daniel Estrin

Turkey has begun shelling and airstrikes against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Kurdish militant groups have been key to the U.S.-led fight against ISIS.

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Turkish Troops Attack Kurdish Forces For A 2nd Day

7:39am October 10, 2019

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Robert Ford, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Syria in the Obama administration and is now with the Middle East Institute, about whether the attacks are justified.

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News Brief: ISIS Detainees, Trade Talks, Sickle Cell Treatment

6:08am October 10, 2019

The U.S. is taking custody of Islamic State detainees accused of executing American and other hostages. U.S.-China trade talks resume today. A sickle cell disease patient hopes gene-editing can help.

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Iranian sports journalist Raha Purbakhsh shows off her ticket to attend a World Cup qualifier in front of Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Tuesday. Iran has essentially banned women from entering the stadium for decades.

Thousands Of Women Will At Last Be Allowed To Attend A Soccer Match In Iran

6:13pm October 09, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

"After all these years watching every match on TV, I'm going to be able to experience everything in person," said Raha Purbakhsh, one of 3,500 women who bought tickets to Thursday's game.

A Turkish army officer prepares to unload a tank from a truck to its new position on the Turkish side of the border between Turkey and Syria, in Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, on Tuesday.

World News

Turkish Forces Launch Military Attack Against Kurds At Syrian Border

2:48pm October 09, 2019

The incursion comes after the White House announced that U.S. forces would stand aside as Turkey launched the military operation in Northern Syria.