Middle East

World News

Scientists Use Lasers To Map Ancient City In Jordan

6:04am May 29, 2018

by Merrit Kennedy

It's a technique that is revolutionizing archeology, and shows that the ancient site is under threat from the expanding modern city around it. The ancient city of Jerash is world famous.

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Egypt's LGBT Crackdown

8:12am May 26, 2018

by Jane Arraf

Ahmed Alaa describes hoisting a rainbow flag at a concert in Cairo as the "best five minutes of his life." Now he faces years in prison and says his family and his life have been destroyed.

In this photo provided by the Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (right) and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr hold a press conference in Baghdad on May 20. Sadr's coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections

World News

After Muqtada Al-Sadr's Surprise Win, Iraq's Political Leaders Try To Form Government

7:01am May 26, 2018

by Jane Arraf

Two weeks after parliamentary elections delivered a surprise win for allies of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraq's divided political leaders are scrambling to put together a coalition government.

A Look At The Limits Of U.S. Sanctions On Iran

6:16pm May 25, 2018

As signatories to the Iran nuclear deal meet in Vienna to discuss next steps after the U.S. exit from the deal, NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Simon Gass, one of the key negotiators of the deal, about the limits of U.S. sanctions.

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Diplomats Gather In Europe In Last-Ditch Effort To Save Iran Nuclear Deal

4:23pm May 25, 2018

by Peter Kenyon

Signatories to the Iran nuclear deal will meet with their Iranian counterpart in the first such gathering since the United States pulled out of the deal. The meeting will assess what can be done to keep the deal going.

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Iraq Works To Form New Government

5:46am May 23, 2018

by Jane Arraf

Former U.S. foe Muqtada al-Sadr appears to be the new face of reform in Iraq. The Shia cleric's bloc won the most votes in this month's parliamentary election.

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Pompeo Gives Iran List Of Demands

5:46am May 23, 2018

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo laid out an aggressive list of demands for Iran this week. Steve Inskeep talks with Trita Parsi of the National Iranian American Council.

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Step Aboard A Passenger Train In Saudi Arabia

5:46pm May 22, 2018

by Jackie Northam

NPR boards a passenger train that crosses the vast, harsh Saudi Arabian desert, from the capital Riyadh to the eastern oil city of Dammam.

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Saudi women check out cars at an automotive exhibition for women in the Saudi capital Riyadh on May 13.

World News

Arrests Of Saudi Women's Rights Activists 'Point To The Limits Of Change'

11:31am May 22, 2018

by Deborah Amos

The arrested women "could have been powerful ambassadors for the new Saudi Arabia. Instead, they are being branded as traitors," says Kristian Ulrichsen of Rice University.

Secretary Of State Pompeo Lays Out List Of Demands For Iran

8:05am May 22, 2018

The Trump administration has delivered a message to Iran. Steve Inskeep talks to Brian Hook, director of policy planning at the State Department, about the path forward in U.S.-Iran relations.

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