When The U.S. Backs Rebels, It Doesn't Often Go As Planned
As the U.S. begins to arm and train Syrian rebels, here's a look at the very mixed record of U.S. support for rebel movements from Angola to Afghanistan.
Middle East
How To Inoculate Angry Teens Against Islamic Extremism
Maajid Nawaz used to be a recruiter for an extreme Islamist group in the United Kingdom. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Nawaz about how the recruiting process works, and how it can be thwarted.
New Islamic State Video Purports To Show Kidnapped British Journalist
The man in the video says he is John Cantlie, a British journalist and hostage. He asks why his government has abandoned him. NPR hasn't independently verified the video's authenticity.
U.S., Allies Hit Islamic State Targets In Syria, Pentagon Says
The Pentagon said it had used fighter, bomber and Tomahawk missiles during the mission launched on Monday.
Why Did Congress Kick The Can On Funding Islamic State Mission?
The president got approval for his plan to train and equip Syrian opposition fighters, but lawmakers didn't approve funds to pay for it or the broader air campaign.
Tensions Rise As Syrian Kurds Flee ISIS Advance
The Islamic State recently launched an offensive that sent a wave of Kurdish refugees into Turkey from Syria. Deborah Amos reports from southern Turkey on the chaos on the border.
Kurdish Refugees Join Huge Numbers Of Displaced Syrians
The Syrian refugee flood in southern Turkey this weekend is just the latest in a larger crisis in the region. NPR's Melissa Block and Robert Siegel go over the numbers.
What's Turkey's Next Step In Fight Against ISIS?
Turkey recently secured the release of 49 ISIS hostages. John Kerry said that Ankara had not committed to the coalition against ISIS because they first needed to deal with that hostage situation.
Snowden Reveal Makes Israeli Spies' Protest An American Issue
Forty-three veterans of Unit 8200, Israel's secretive surveillance organization, say they were directed to spy indiscriminately on Palestinians. Were they using intelligence gathered by the NSA?
Kurds Say They Have Halted ISIS Advance Near Syria-Turkey Border
Peshmerga forces say they are still engaged in fierce battles with Islamic State militants. The fighting has triggered a mass exodus of Kurdish refugees into Turkey.