Middle East

World News

Palestinian Refugees And The 'Right To Return'

11:37am September 12, 2018

by Daniel Estrin

The Trump administration recently announced it was no longer giving money to a program for Palestinian refugees. In cutting the funding, the U.S. shifted away from decades of policy.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Update On Protests In Basra

7:17am September 12, 2018

by Jane Arraf

Unrest in one of Iraq's biggest cities, Basra, has shaken up the country at a time of political instability. Basra is an oil hub, but people are poor and a water crisis has pushed them to the edge.

Queue Listen Now

News Brief: Hurricane Heads Toward Carolinas, Trump Approval At 39 Percent, Basra

7:12am September 12, 2018

North Carolina and South Carolina are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Florence. Also, a new poll shows President Trump's approval rating at 39 percent, and an update on unrest in Basra.

Queue Listen Now

Palestinian Orchestra Finds Way Into Jerusalem To Perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony

6:31pm September 11, 2018

by Sandy Tolan

Palestinian violist Ramzi Aburedwan used to throw stones at Israeli soldiers. Now he fights with music. He's built a music school for young Palestinians and he's finally realized a dream of playing Beethoven's 9th Symphony in Jerusalem.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Syrian Civilians Are In The Path Of The Battle Against Last Rebel-Held Area

6:58am September 11, 2018

by Ruth Sherlock

Talks to try to slow down an expected government ground offensive against the rebel-held Idlib region failed last week. Now eyes are on the threat facing millions of civilians along the route.

Queue Listen Now

Morning News Brief

5:02am September 11, 2018

Scientists say one of the biggest threats posed by Hurricane Florence is rain. The Trump White House takes credit for a strong economy. Millions of Syrians could be in the path of a bombing campaign.

Trump Administration Closing Diplomatic Mission That Represents Palestinians In D.C.

4:46pm September 10, 2018

by Michele Kelemen

The Trump administration is shutting down the Palestinian diplomatic post in Washington, D.C. The move comes after big U.S. aid cuts to the Palestinians and the United Nations agency that supports them.

Queue Listen Now

Greek Police Jails Rescuer Of Fellow Asylum Seekers

5:56pm September 09, 2018

by Joanna Kakissis

A Syrian refugee who was lauded for helping to rescue fellow migrants in 2015 has now been arrested by Greek police, accused of various charges including people smuggling.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Syrian Rebels' Last Stronghold: Why Idlib Matters

5:56pm September 09, 2018

Observers are expecting the Syrian regime to launch an offensive on Idlib, the rebels' last major stronghold. NPR's Michel Martin speaks to The Guardian's middle east correspondent Martin Chulov about how the offensive could be a decisive moment in the course of the Syrian Civil War.

World News

Anti-Government Protests Turn Violent In Basra, Iraq

11:43am September 08, 2018

by Jane Arraf

Anti-government protesters set fire to the Iranian consulate in Basra, Iraq. Security officials say forces guarding the building withdrew to prevent clashes with demonstrators.

Queue Listen Now