Middle East

A member of the Kurdish internal security forces (known as the Asayish) inspects the Alaya prison in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on April 22.

President Obama To Announce U.S. Is Sending 250 Military Personnel To Syria

8:22pm April 24, 2016

by Colin Dwyer

The president's announcement, set to be delivered Monday in Germany, will bring the total number of American military personnel deployed in the country to as many as 300.

World News

Upsurge In Violence In Syria Threatens Fragile Ceasefire

6:03pm April 24, 2016

At least 19 people died Friday in a round of Syrian government air strikes on the city of Aleppo, human rights observers said. Fighting in Syria has intensified in recent weeks.

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The mother (right) of Abdel Hamid Abu Srour (portrait) mourns with family members as she receives condolences at the Al-Ruwad Center in the Aida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem on Friday.

World News

Is This Week's Jerusalem Suicide Bombing A Warning Of More To Come?

9:56am April 23, 2016

by Emily Harris

Days after the first bus bombing in Jerusalem in years, Israel is investigating whether the young Palestinian man who carried the bomb on the bus acted on his own or as part of an organized effort.

World News

Amid Calls To Ramp Up Fight Against Boko Haram, UN Ambassador Meets Girl Escapees

9:36am April 23, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

Two years after Boko Haram grabbed hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria, UN Ambassador Samantha Power met with some who escaped, and promised to ramp up the fight against the Islamist militant group.

Aziz Abu Sarah describes how he came to lead tours in which Jews, Muslims and Christians cross contested borders to spend time in each other's cultures.

Arts

How Can Tourism Promote Peace In The Middle East?

4:48pm April 22, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Social entrepreneur and educator Aziz Abu Sarah describes how he came to lead tours in which Jews, Muslims and Christians cross contested borders to spend time in each others cultures.

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McDonald's is super popular in Israel — the chain even offers potato-starch hamburger buns, like this one, that are kosher for Passover. But now McD's is fighting back against the Israeli health ministry's accusations that it's "junk food."

Israel's Health Minister To McDonald's: 'Not In Our Country'

1:48pm April 22, 2016

by Daniel Estrin

McDonald's is super popular in Israel — the chain even offers potato-starch buns for Passover. But now McD's is fighting back against government accusations that it's "junk food."

Syrian Raed Saleh came to Washington to receive an award for his rescue work in his homeland. However, he was turned back at Dulles International Airport outside Washington. No reason was given. In his honor, those attending the Tuesday evening banquet wo

A Syrian Lands In The U.S. For An Award, Only To Be Turned Back

7:52pm April 21, 2016

by Jackie Northam

The Syrian rescue worker reached Dulles International Airport on his way to accept an award in Washington. But he was turned back, highlighting the suspicion Syrians face as they travel.

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World News

Obama Meets With Gulf Leaders To Discuss ISIS Threat

6:40pm April 21, 2016

by Scott Horsley

President Obama wraps up his visit to Saudi Arabia with a meeting of Gulf leaders to talk about the threat of ISIS. It follows a meeting between Obama and Saudi's King Salman amid tensions in the U.S.-Saudi relationship.

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World News

Syrian Ceasefire Appears To Be Fraying As Regime Launches New Airstrikes

6:36pm April 21, 2016

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Bissan Fakih, a senior campaigner with the Syria Campaign, about what life is like in Syria these days as a ceasefire breaks down.

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World News

Migrants Wait In Moroccan Forest For A Chance To Cross Into Europe

5:53am April 21, 2016

by Leila Fadel

Desperate African migrants often camp out in the forest for months or years waiting for a chance to jump fences and walls toward two nearby Spanish enclaves — their opportunity to reach Europe.