Middle East

World News

Syrian Conflict Continues Violent Spillover Into Lebanon

8:13am July 14, 2013

by Kelly McEvers

A massive car bomb explosion in one of Hezbollah's Beirut strongholds left dozens of people wounded. It's the latest and deadliest response to the militant group's moves to support the embattled Syrian government's battle against rebel forces.

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Free Syrian Army fighters after a battle against government troops in Zaizoon, near Dera'a, on Feb. 16.

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In Southern Syria, Rebels Say U.S. Support Is Critical

8:38pm July 12, 2013

by Deborah Amos

After a string of defeats, Syrian rebels have scored rare victories around Dera'a, a key battlefront near Damascus. Rebel commanders say those gains could be lost without a dependable arms supply and promised U.S. aid. So far, those weapons haven't materialized.

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Egypt's Economic Health Needs Outside Help

3:21pm July 10, 2013

Egypt desperately needs foreign assistance to keep its economy from collapsing. The country's neighbors have been stepping up, dwarfing U.S. economic aid since the fall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011. To discuss Egypt's immediate financial issues, Renee Montagne talks to Mohsin Khan, a senior fellow at the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council and the former director of the Middle East Department at the International Monetary Fund.

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Egyptian Military Pushes Ahead With New Constitution Plans

8:13am July 10, 2013

by David Greene

Egypt's interim president will shortly appoint the members of two panels who will draft amendments to the constitution that will then be put to a nationwide referendum. It's the first step in the transition plan announced by the military after the ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi.

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With Turmoil In Egypt, Obama Urges All To 'Avoid Violence'

12:38pm July 09, 2013

Robert Siegel talks to NPR's Scott Horsley about the White House's reactions to Wednesday events in Egypt, where President Mohammed Morsi was ousted from power. In a statement, President Obama said he was "deeply concerned" by the Egyptian military's actions and that "ultimately the future of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people."

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Refugees at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan try to squeeze on one of the buses heading back to Syria. Syrian refugees have been coming to Jordan for two years, but some are now starting to head home.

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Reversing Direction, Some Syrian Refugees Now Head Home

12:36pm July 09, 2013

by Deborah Amos

Syrian refugees have been pouring into Jordan since the war broke out. But over the past month, more Syrian refugees went back than came to Jordan. The returnees cite rough conditions in the Jordanian camps and recent rebel advances.

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In an image from a video broadcast on Egyptian state TV, President Mohammed Morsi addresses the nation on July 2 — his final speech before the military deposed him.

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What Egyptian State TV Says About The State Of Egypt

8:23am July 09, 2013

by Merrit Kennedy

Egypt's state-run television station has worked under four different leaders in less than three years. For the past year, it has been pro-Islamist and pro-President Mohammed Morsi — before his ouster. Then it abruptly began reporting the military's view once again.

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Kerry Believes Mideast Peace Talks 'Could Be Within Reach'

8:15am July 07, 2013

by Emily Harris

The term shuttle diplomacy may be over-used, especially in the pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. But that is exactly what Secretary of State John Kerry did on his latest visit to the Mideast. Kerry spent long, separate sessions with Palestinian and Israeli officials.

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Egyptian protesters celebrate in Tahrir Square on Wednesday. The United States has managed to alienate just about every political actor in Egypt.

The U.S. Holds The Aid Card, Yet Egypt Still Trumps

9:04pm July 06, 2013

by Michele Kelemen

The ouster of Mohammed Morsi puts the U.S. in an awkward position. As the administration considers its next steps, analysts are quick to point out the many missteps in U.S. policy toward Egypt up to now.

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Shootings Reported At Demonstrations In Egypt

12:37pm July 05, 2013

On Friday, thousands of supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi are protesting the military coup, in demonstrations that have reportedly turned violent.

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