Middle East

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British Lawmakers Approve Bombing Runs Into Syria

7:13am December 03, 2015

After 10 hours of Parliamentary debate, the British House of Commons voted on extending Britain's involvement in Syria. Steve Inskeep talks to Peter Westmacott, Britain's ambassador to the U.S.

World News

Russia Changes Its Military Posture In Syria

1:07am December 03, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

After Turkey shot down a Russian plane along its border with Syria, Moscow responded with harsh rhetoric and sanctions against Turkey. It seems Russia is altering its strategy in Syria as well.

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The Pentagon says the new force will help secure the border between Iraq and Syria and hunt down Islamic State leaders in raids.

World News

U.S. To Send 100 More Troops To Iraq In Fight Against Islamic State

8:04pm December 02, 2015

by Tom Bowman

The Pentagon plans to create an "expeditionary targeting force" in Iraq, and says some of those troops will take part in combat raids.

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Hatoon al-Fassi, a Saudi professor and a leading advocate of women's rights, speaks at a political meeting for women in Riyadh.

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For Saudi Women, 'Baby Steps Into This World Of Democracy'

5:28pm December 02, 2015

by Deborah Amos

For the first time, women in Saudi Arabia are allowed run for office and vote. But they're still banned from driving and need a male guardian's permission to travel, work and pursue higher education.

Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Center Honors First U.S. Soldier

5:17pm December 02, 2015

by Emily Harris

Israel's holocaust memorial and research center honors a U.S. soldier for the first time for his role in protecting Jewish prisoners of war in a German camp in World War II.

IAEA Report Reveals Iran Once Had Nuclear Weapons Program

4:30pm December 02, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

The International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report on Iran concludes that it once had a nuclear weapons program. NPR explores the implications of the findings for the current nuclear deal with Iran.

Peace symbols were drawn on the sculpture of former British Prime Minister David Lloyd George in Parliament Square ahead of Wednesday's debate in the House of Commons on whether the U.K. should become involved in airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria.

World News

U.K. Debates Expanding Airstrikes Against ISIS To Syria

4:00pm December 02, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

British forces are already conducting strikes in Iraq. The motion is expected to pass with the support of the ruling Conservative Party. But first, MPs will spend 10 hours swapping fierce rhetoric.

Report Calls For Investigation Into CIA's Post-9/11 Interrogation Program

1:52pm December 02, 2015

by David Welna

Human Rights Watch issued a new report Tuesday examining the legality of the CIA's post-9/11 detention and interrogation program. It is expected to challenge the Obama administration's conclusions that it is impossible to prosecute the CIA officers and others involved in the program.

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Russian Defence Ministry officials sit under a display showing the Turkish-Syrian border during a news conference Wednesday in Moscow.

World News

Russia Accuses Turkey's President Of Profiting Off Trade With ISIS

11:16am December 02, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

Russia has previously alleged Turkish involvement in illegal oil trade with Islamist militants. Now Russian military officials are claiming that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is personally involved.

An Iranian woman looks at the painting "Sienna, Orange Black on Dark Brown" by artist Mark Rothko during the opening of an exhibition at Tehran's Museum of Contemporary Art on Nov. 20. Iran amassed a spectacular collection of modern Western art in the 197

World News

Hidden For Decades, Pollocks, Rothkos And More Go On Display In Iran

8:35am December 02, 2015

by NPR Staff

Tehran's Museum of Contemporary Art has a spectacular collection of 20th century Western art. But until now, most of it has been locked away in a vault since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

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