Middle East

U.S. To Arm Kurdish Fighters In Syria Despite Turkey's Objection

8:12am May 10, 2017

by Peter Kenyon

President Trump has approved the arming of Kurdish forces in Syria, as part of an effort to take the ISIS-controlled city of Raqqa. But Turkey objects and views many Kurdish fighters as terrorists.

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Female shoppers in traditional Saudi Arabian dress wait for their transport outside the Kingdom Centre shopping mall in Riyadh. Women's decision-making abilities are limited by the country's guardianship rules.

World News

Rights Group Urges Saudi King To End Men's 'Guardianship' Over Women

2:04pm May 09, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Saudi Arabia requires all women to have a male guardian, even if that guardian is their own son. King Salman recently ordered a review of his country's guardianship rules.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem holds a news conference in the capital, Damascus, on Monday.

World News

Syrian Foreign Minister Says Damascus Supports Deal Creating 'De-Escalation Zones'

5:08pm May 08, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The Russia-brokered deal is backed by regional heavyweights Iran and Turkey. But it remains to be seen whether this deal will be any different than other truces that have failed to stop the violence.

Dates are a popular food across the Middle East, but in Oman they hold a place of honor in the national culture and cuisine.

A Love Affair With Dates, The Fruit At The Cultural Heart Of Oman

11:34am May 08, 2017

by Amy E. Robertson

In this country at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, the nutrition-packed palm-tree treat is essential to tradition, sustenance and the economy — and has been for hundreds of years.

Gordon (left) teaches Telly how to control his jealousy with breathing exercises.

When Elmo And Big Bird Talk To Refugees

4:31pm May 05, 2017

by Elizabeth Blair

Sesame Workshop is creating educational programming for refugee children around the world. But first, it's doing a lot of homework to make sure the lessons it teaches are the right ones.

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Iranian emergency personnel aid an injured coal miner after an explosion at the Zemestan-Yurt coal mine in northeastern Iran on Wednesday. Iran state media reported that at least 35 workers died in the incident, while others remain trapped underground.

World News

35 Reported Dead In Iran Mine Explosion; Others Remain Trapped

5:07pm May 04, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

A government official said the blast occurred when workers changed the battery of a locomotive, creating a spark in a methane-filled tunnel. Many who died had rushed to help miners who were trapped.

As ISIS Loses Ground, Returning Fighters Create A New Worry

5:05am May 04, 2017

by Greg Myre

The Islamic State keeps losing ground. But defeat in the Middle East would not mean the end of ISIS. U.S. counterterrorism officials are already thinking about what's likely to come next.

Millions Of Lives At Risk In Yemen, Aid Group Official Says

5:05am May 04, 2017

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland about the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Trump Hosts Palestinian Authority President Abbas At The White House

4:44pm May 03, 2017

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab about Palestinian reactions to President Trump's meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

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President Trump gives a joint statement with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday at the White House.

Trump Says He Wants To Help Mediate Israeli-Palestinian Peace Deal

3:08pm May 03, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

"I've always heard that perhaps the toughest deal to make is the deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Let's see if we can prove them wrong," he said alongside Palestinian leader Abbas.