Middle East

Quake In Central Pakistan Makes New Island

A large earthquake shook a remote part of central Pakistan Tuesday, and so far local authorities have only reported a few dozen fatalities so far. But according to estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey, the death toll could be far higher. The quake also gave rise to a mysterious island off the coast of Pakistan. The island was likely created by frozen methane that was shaken loose by the shaking. It pushed its way to the surface and created a muddy piece of land that will soon be washed away.
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Iran's New President Mounts A Charm Offensive

Hassan Rouhani ran on a promise of getting his country out from under the weight of sanctions, embargoes and other financial weapons from the West that have crippled that country's economy. Since taking office, he has been striking a more conciliatory note than his predecessor, especially toward the U.S. For more, Renee Montagne talks with Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
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Feds Say NYC Building Is A Front For Iran

The U.S. government moved this week to seize a Manhattan skyscraper said to be secretly owned by Iran. To discuss how such targeting of Iran's financial assets fits into the broader strategy of ending its nuclear program, Renee Montagne talks to former White House and Treasury Department official Juan Zarate.
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Saudis At Odds With U.S. Over Egypt

by Peter Kenyon

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states are stepping in with billions of dollars for Egypt's military as it attempts to neutralize the Muslim Brotherhood as a political force. The exception is Qatar, which along with Turkey, is left to condemn the ouster of Egypt's Islamist president last month. The rift poses new challenges for U.S. policy in the region.
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Are Weapons Getting To Syrian Rebels?

We're going look more closely at whether the United States is providing arms to Syria's rebels. The commander of the Free Syrian Army General told Morning Edition on Thursday that his group was not receiving weapons. But American officials contend they are providing weapons to the rebels.
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