Middle East

World News

Israel's Netanyahu Tasked With Forming Next Government

6:26am September 26, 2019

by Naomi Zeveloff

After deadlocked elections last week, Israel's president has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the first chance to form a new government. But it's far from clear that he can do it.

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Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (right) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Netanyahu has been given the task of forming a new government.

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Netanyahu Tasked With Forming Next Government As Possible Corruption Charges Loom

7:13pm September 25, 2019

by Bobby Allyn

A week after an inconclusive election, the Israeli prime minister has been given six weeks to form the next government. But if he fails, there could be a third vote.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for Saudi Arabia to reject U.S. intervention during his speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City on Wednesday.

Iran's Rouhani Touts Gulf Peace Plan, Says It Would Start With U.S. Troops Leaving

2:00pm September 25, 2019

by Bill Chappell

"Our region is on the edge of collapse, as a single blunder can fuel a big fire," President Hassan Rouhani said at the U.N. on Wednesday.

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Why Are Syrian War Crimes Being Prosecuted In Germany?

5:03am September 25, 2019

by Deborah Amos

The battle to hold Syrian officials accountable for torture is gaining momentum in Germany. It's a country with a lot of Syrian refugees and a belief in the importance of examining the past.

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How Syrians Who Fled Their Country Are Pursuing Justice After Torture From The Regime

6:28pm September 24, 2019

by Deborah Amos

A chance meeting became an important part of a Syrian lawyer's struggle to prosecute war crimes cases against the regime. It's an effort taking place in German courts.

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Omar Alshogre, a Syrian refugee who was tortured as a political prisoner in Syria, now lives in Sweden. He has framed photos of men who he says tortured him that he keeps upside down.

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How Europe Has Become The Epicenter For Syrian War Crimes Cases

5:08pm September 24, 2019

by Deborah Amos

An unprecedented legal battle against the regime is playing out in European courts, where large refugee communities and prosecutors can bring cases even for suspected crimes committed abroad.

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Survivor Of Torture In Syria's Prisons Is Telling His Story

6:09am September 24, 2019

by Deborah Amos

A Syrian survivor of the country's prisons has found a home in Sweden, where he's gathering evidence that could be used to bring his torturers to justice.

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News Brief: Trump-Ukraine Report, U.N. General Assembly, Tortutre In Syria

5:00am September 24, 2019

President Trump is accused of withholding aid to Ukraine ahead of a call with the new leader. Trump speaks today at the U.N. Survivors try to hold Syria's Assad regime accountable for torture.

World News

Documents Smuggled Out Of Syria Being Used To Build War Crimes Cases Against Regime

5:58pm September 23, 2019

by Deborah Amos

A storehouse in an undisclosed location in Europe holds hundreds of thousands of documents smuggled out of Syria that are being used to build war crimes cases against the regime.

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World News

Israel's Supreme Court To Decide Whether To Deport American Human Rights Advocate

4:14pm September 23, 2019

by Daniel Estrin

Israel's supreme court will rule whether to deport the local director of Human Rights Watch, after the Israeli government said he's taken positions that violate its anti-boycott law.