Middle East

World News

Christmas In Bethlehem: Trump Declaration Fuels Clashes In The West Bank

6:40pm December 24, 2017

by Daniel Estrin

The festive annual Christmas celebration in the West Bank city of Bethlehem is clouded this year by concerns about the Palestinians future — and criticism of the Trump administration.

World News

The Fight To Save Yazidis Captured By ISIS

8:24am December 24, 2017

by Jane Arraf

Though ISIS is mostly defeated in Iraq and Syria, many Yazidi women the militants kidnapped are still missing. Despite the dangerous work, one man is trying to find and rescue those seeking help.

World News

Why The War In Yemen Receives Short Shrift In The News

8:11am December 23, 2017

by Ruth Sherlock

It's been nearly impossible for Western journalists to report in Yemen, but the humanitarian crisis and controversial U.S. support for the Saudi-led air campaign were two urgent issues of 2017.

World News

A Status Report On The Civil War In Syria

8:11am December 23, 2017

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Faysal Itani of the Atlantic Council about the future of Syria and President Bashar Assad as the civil war there shows no sign of ending.

A missile struck the Badr family home in Iraq in 2006.

See Dioramas Of Refugee Homes, Each Re-Created In An Old-Fashioned Suitcase

7:00am December 23, 2017

by Diane Cole

The miniatures, each displayed in a piece of luggage, capture telling details — a blooming plant in a flowerpot, a kid's tricycle covered in dust, holes punched by bombs.

In Symbolic U.N. Vote, 128 Countries Decry U.S. Decision On Jerusalem

10:39am December 22, 2017

by Michele Kelemen

The U.N. General Assembly votes to criticize the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite U.S. warnings it will cut aid to countries based on their votes.

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U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley told the General Assembly on Thursday: "To its shame, the United Nations has long been a hostile place for the state of Israel."

U.N. Votes Overwhelmingly To Condemn U.S. Decision On Jerusalem

2:40pm December 21, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

By a 128-9 vote Thursday, the General Assembly rejected a U.S. decree that recognized the disputed city as Israel's capital. "The United States will remember this day," Ambassador Nikki Haley warned.

A malnourished Yemeni child receives treatment at a hospital in the port city of Hodeidah on Tuesday. Ravaged by cholera, famine and war, the country has been declared the world's worst humanitarian crisis — and there is little indication the dire situa

World News

'A Hideous Milestone In The 21st Century': Cholera Cases In Yemen Pass 1 Million

11:28am December 21, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

The International Committee of the Red Cross announced the terrible landmark Thursday, roughly eight months after the outbreak first took hold in the war-ravaged country.

World News

U.N. Draft Resolution Criticizes Decision To Move U.S. Embassy To Jerusalem

10:34am December 21, 2017

by Daniel Estrin

The U.N. General Assembly votes Thursday on a censure of the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley warns the U.S. will be "taking names" of the countries that vote in favor of the resolution.

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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley warned that the U.S. "will take note of each and every vote" on a resolution on the decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

'US Will Be Taking Names' Of U.N. Votes On Jerusalem Resolution

6:27pm December 20, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

"We're watching those votes," Trump said, threatening to cut aid to countries that vote in favor of the resolution. "Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care."