NPR Topics: Middle East http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1009&ft=1&f=1009 Middle East news, arts, culture, and politics. Updates on Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Iran, OPEC, and the Persian Gulf states NPR streaming audio. Subscribe to the Middle East RSS feed. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:56:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Middle East http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1009&ft=1&f=1009 Obscured By War, Water Crisis Looms In Yemen News from Yemen has been dominated recently by an escalating rebellion along the border with Saudi Arabia. But the country has been making news for decades because of its severe overuse of a rapidly disappearing water supply, the result of natural and political causes. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:56:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120619082&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120619082&ft=1&f=1009 News from Yemen has been dominated recently by an escalating rebellion along the border with Saudi Arabia. But the country has been making news for decades because of its severe overuse of a rapidly disappearing water supply, the result of natural and political causes.

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]]> Iran Rejects U.N. Proposal To Export Uranium Under the deal, Iran would send low-enriched uranium to Russia for further enriching and then to France to be converted into fuel rods, which would be returned to Iran. This would reduce the stockpile of material that Iran could enrich to a higher level and possibly use to make nuclear weapons. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:27:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120545180&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120545180&ft=1&f=1009 Under the deal, Iran would send low-enriched uranium to Russia for further enriching and then to France to be converted into fuel rods, which would be returned to Iran. This would reduce the stockpile of material that Iran could enrich to a higher level and possibly use to make nuclear weapons.

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]]> U.S. Slams Israeli Housing Plan For East Jerusalem Under the plan, 900 more housing units would be built in a Jewish neighborhood in the part of Jerusalem that Palestinians claim. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the steps "could unilaterally pre-empt, or appear to pre-empt, negotiations" and that the issue of Jerusalem "must be resolved through negotiations between the parties." Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:19:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120516294&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120516294&ft=1&f=1009 Under the plan, 900 more housing units would be built in a Jewish neighborhood in the part of Jerusalem that Palestinians claim. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the steps "could unilaterally pre-empt, or appear to pre-empt, negotiations" and that the issue of Jerusalem "must be resolved through negotiations between the parties."

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]]> 5 Arrested After Iran Election Sentenced To Death Iran began a mass trial in August of more than 100 prominent opposition figures and activists, accusing them of a range of charges from rioting to spying and plotting what Iran's clerical rulers have depicted as a foreign-backed plot to oust them from power. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:57:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120514154&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120514154&ft=1&f=1009 Iran began a mass trial in August of more than 100 prominent opposition figures and activists, accusing them of a range of charges from rioting to spying and plotting what Iran's clerical rulers have depicted as a foreign-backed plot to oust them from power.

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]]> Iran Nuke Plant At Advanced Construction Stage A report from the International Atomic Energy Agency provides the first look inside a previously secret uranium enrichment facility in Iran. The facility's existence became known two months ago, and recently IAEA inspectors got to go inside. So far, the site lacks the essential technology to enrich uranium. Iran says it won't be ready for another two years. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120488578&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120488578&ft=1&f=1009 A report from the International Atomic Energy Agency provides the first look inside a previously secret uranium enrichment facility in Iran. The facility's existence became known two months ago, and recently IAEA inspectors got to go inside. So far, the site lacks the essential technology to enrich uranium. Iran says it won't be ready for another two years.

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]]> Fighting In Yemen Escalates As Saudis Enter Fray The Yemeni government's battle against Shiite rebels in the north has drawn in the Saudi military, in a rare use of its armed forces. The conflict intensified in part because of divisions within the Yemeni army. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120469446&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120469446&ft=1&f=1009 The Yemeni government's battle against Shiite rebels in the north has drawn in the Saudi military, in a rare use of its armed forces. The conflict intensified in part because of divisions within the Yemeni army.

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]]> U.N.: Once-Secret Iran Nuclear Site To Start In 2011 The International Atomic Energy Agency releases a report stating that Iranian technicians have moved technical equipment into a previously secret uranium enrichment site in preparation for starting it up in 2011. But it notes enrichment at another site is stagnating. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:19:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120465773&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120465773&ft=1&f=1009 The International Atomic Energy Agency releases a report stating that Iranian technicians have moved technical equipment into a previously secret uranium enrichment site in preparation for starting it up in 2011. But it notes enrichment at another site is stagnating.

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]]> Ambitious New University Opens In Saudi Arabia With a $10 billion endowment, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is one of the wealthiest universities in the world. The idea is to foster research that will diversify Saudi Arabia's oil-dependent economy, and to be an oasis of freedom in a highly-controlled society. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120448256&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120448256&ft=1&f=1009 With a $10 billion endowment, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is one of the wealthiest universities in the world. The idea is to foster research that will diversify Saudi Arabia's oil-dependent economy, and to be an oasis of freedom in a highly-controlled society.

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]]> U.S. Seeks To Seize Buildings Tied To Iran The U.S. government has asked a federal judge to allow it to seize four mosques and a Manhattan skyscraper that are owned by a nonprofit group. The government says the group is a front for the Iranian government, which has been under economic sanctions for decades. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120375859&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120375859&ft=1&f=1009 The U.S. government has asked a federal judge to allow it to seize four mosques and a Manhattan skyscraper that are owned by a nonprofit group. The government says the group is a front for the Iranian government, which has been under economic sanctions for decades.

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]]> Galbraith's Actions May Hurt Independent Advice Former U.S. ambassador Peter Galbraith denies there were conflicts of interest when he advised the Kurdish government about their constitution. He says the Kurds knew about the business relationship he formed with a Norwegian oil company a year later. Nonetheless, some experts worry Galthraith's actions will make it more difficult for Americans to give advice independently without the suspicion of profit. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120375863&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120375863&ft=1&f=1009 Former U.S. ambassador Peter Galbraith denies there were conflicts of interest when he advised the Kurdish government about their constitution. He says the Kurds knew about the business relationship he formed with a Norwegian oil company a year later. Nonetheless, some experts worry Galthraith's actions will make it more difficult for Americans to give advice independently without the suspicion of profit.

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]]> Amid Gaza Travel Curbs, A Thriving Visa Trade Since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007, it has become increasingly difficult for Palestinians in the strip to get out because of tight restrictions by Israel and even Egypt. That has led to a flourishing trade in visas bought through thousands of dollars in bribes. Most though can't afford the now exorbitant prices and are stuck in what they say is an open-air prison. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120375884&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120375884&ft=1&f=1009 Since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007, it has become increasingly difficult for Palestinians in the strip to get out because of tight restrictions by Israel and even Egypt. That has led to a flourishing trade in visas bought through thousands of dollars in bribes. Most though can't afford the now exorbitant prices and are stuck in what they say is an open-air prison.

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]]> Ranks Of Displaced Yemenis Swell As Conflict Grows Tens of thousands of Yemenis have fled the fighting between the country's army and Shiite rebels. The flow of displaced people increased dramatically in recent days, as Saudi Arabia joined in the conflict following a rebel incursion across the border. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:14:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120356077&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120356077&ft=1&f=1009 Tens of thousands of Yemenis have fled the fighting between the country's army and Shiite rebels. The flow of displaced people increased dramatically in recent days, as Saudi Arabia joined in the conflict following a rebel incursion across the border.

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]]> Iran Backpedals On Nuclear Deal After agreeing initially, Iran is backing away from its commitment to the nuclear deal that would turn its low-grade uranium into reactor fuel for medical isotopes. But Iran is unable to make the reactor fuel itself, which may be why the U.S. and Europe are willing to give Iran's leaders some time to contemplate their problem. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120300291&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120300291&ft=1&f=1009 After agreeing initially, Iran is backing away from its commitment to the nuclear deal that would turn its low-grade uranium into reactor fuel for medical isotopes. But Iran is unable to make the reactor fuel itself, which may be why the U.S. and Europe are willing to give Iran's leaders some time to contemplate their problem.

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]]> Kurds Renew Vigils For 'Disappeared' In Turkey After a decade of being silenced, a group called Saturday Mothers has renewed its protests against Turkey's treatment of ethnic Kurds. The group was emboldened by the state's prosecution of high-level military and government officials, who the protesters say are responsible for the disappearances of their relatives in the 1990s. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:38:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120273589&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120273589&ft=1&f=1009 After a decade of being silenced, a group called Saturday Mothers has renewed its protests against Turkey's treatment of ethnic Kurds. The group was emboldened by the state's prosecution of high-level military and government officials, who the protesters say are responsible for the disappearances of their relatives in the 1990s.

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]]> Palestinians, Israelis Weigh Future Without Abbas Palestinian leaders are struggling with the aftermath of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement that he does not intend to run for re-election in a vote scheduled for January. There is no clear-cut successor, and the uncertainty has rattled both Palestinians and Israelis. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120251068&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120251068&ft=1&f=1009 Palestinian leaders are struggling with the aftermath of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement that he does not intend to run for re-election in a vote scheduled for January. There is no clear-cut successor, and the uncertainty has rattled both Palestinians and Israelis.

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