Middle East

World News

Pence: U.S. Embassy Will Open In Jerusalem Before End Of 2019

10:17am January 22, 2018

Vice President Mike Pence spoke Monday at the Israeli Knesset about the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and about Israel working toward peace with Palestine.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Vice President Pence Stops In Israel On His Middle East Tour

7:42am January 22, 2018

by Daniel Estrin

Mike Pence held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestinians refuse to meet with Pence to protest President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Queue Listen Now

World News

U.N. Security Council To Hold Emergency Meeting On Turkish Attack In Syria

5:56am January 22, 2018

by Peter Kenyon

Monday's emergency meeting follows the launch of Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Syria. Turkish warplanes and troops attacked Kurdish fighters who have been armed and trained by the U.S.

After Arrival In Jerusalem, Pence Talks Government Shutdown, Embassy Relocation

6:29pm January 21, 2018

by Tamara Keith

Vice President Pence is visiting Jerusalem after stops in Egypt and Jordan. The visit comes after the Trump administration's controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Queue Listen Now

Turkish army tanks gather close to the Syrian border on Sunday.

World News

Turkey Launches Offensive On U.S.-Backed Kurdish Militia In Syria

2:27pm January 21, 2018

by Chris Benderev

The U.S. views the Kurdish group as crucial to battling ISIS, but Turkey considers them allies of another Kurdish group it classifies as terrorists.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, (Left), meets with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace in Amman, Jordan on Sunday.

As Pence Tours Mideast, Tension Lingers Over Trump's Jerusalem Decision

1:03pm January 21, 2018

by Chris Benderev

The topic came up during Pence's talks with Egypt's and Jordan's leaders. The vice president now heads for a warmer welcome in Israel from the country's government.

World News

Israel Bans Activities In Jerusalem Connected To Palestinian Authority Government

11:57pm January 19, 2018

by Daniel Estrin

Palestinians still have aspirations for a capital in part Jerusalem. National political institutions could strengthen Palestinian claims in the city, but for decades Israel has worked to limit those.

Queue Listen Now

Vice President Pence is scheduled to leave for the Middle East Friday evening. Cairo is his first stop.

Pence Heads Off On Delayed And Scaled-Back Mideast Visit

3:54pm January 19, 2018

by Tamara Keith

The vice president's three-nation trip was supposed to happen in December. Pence wants to focus on security matters and the persecution of Christians, but he will also have to soothe allies.

Hosni Kalaya set fire to himself in the same weeks that Mohamed Bouazizi died from doing so in 2011 in Tunisia. He fears he inspired his half-brother's self-immolation in 2015.

World News

Self-Immolation Rises As Desperate Tunisians Seek Escape From Poverty

3:00pm January 19, 2018

When a fruit seller set himself on fire, it helped start a revolution in Tunisia seven years ago. Since then, the suicide method has grown more common, especially among young, unemployed men.

Queue Listen Now

Pence Begins Mideast Tour In Cairo For Talks With Egypt's President

5:58am January 19, 2018

Vice President Mike Pence will be in Cairo Saturday. He and Egypt's president will talk about everything from fighting terrorism to protecting religious minorities.

Queue Listen Now