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. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:48:00 -0400 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 A Decade In The Making, West Bank Barrier Is Nearly Complete Despite much international criticism, Israel has continued building its West Bank barrier. It's now nearing completion, while the Israelis and Palestinians continue to argue over whether it will help or hurt prospects for a Middle East peace agreement. Wed, 22 May 2013 16:48:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/22/186017646/a-decade-in-the-making-west-bank-barrier-is-nearly-complete?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/22/186017646/a-decade-in-the-making-west-bank-barrier-is-nearly-complete?ft=1&f=1009 Despite much international criticism, Israel has continued building its West Bank barrier. It's now nearing completion, while the Israelis and Palestinians continue to argue over whether it will help or hurt prospects for a Middle East peace agreement.

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]]> U.S. Non-Intervention In Syria Could Mirror Outcome In Congo This week, we're exploring how lessons learned from U.S. intervention and non-intervention in foreign conflicts can inform policy decisions toward Syria today. Robert Siegel talks with Chester Crocker, formerly assistant secretary of state for African affairs in the Reagan administration, about how the U.S. has dealt with the decades-long conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed millions of lives. Crocker is now a professor of strategic studies at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186082403&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186082403&ft=1&f=1009 This week, we're exploring how lessons learned from U.S. intervention and non-intervention in foreign conflicts can inform policy decisions toward Syria today. Robert Siegel talks with Chester Crocker, formerly assistant secretary of state for African affairs in the Reagan administration, about how the U.S. has dealt with the decades-long conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed millions of lives. Crocker is now a professor of strategic studies at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service.

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]]> West Bank Businesses Seek Growth Amid Uncertainty Political unpredictability in the region hampers all kinds of businesses: from stone-cutters and shoemakers to IT. Business owners in the West Bank say Secretary of State John Kerry's commitment to remove barriers to commerce might go further than actual cash. Wed, 22 May 2013 03:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/22/185809432/west-bank-businesses-seek-growth-amid-uncertainty?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/22/185809432/west-bank-businesses-seek-growth-amid-uncertainty?ft=1&f=1009 Political unpredictability in the region hampers all kinds of businesses: from stone-cutters and shoemakers to IT. Business owners in the West Bank say Secretary of State John Kerry's commitment to remove barriers to commerce might go further than actual cash.

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]]> Two Key Candidates Barred From Seeking Iran's Presidency The Guardian Council, which vets all candidates, approved eight names, but left out an influential former president and a top aide to the current president. Their exclusion gives establishment-friendly candidates a clear path to the presidency in the June 14 election. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185865203/two-key-candidates-barred-from-seeking-irans-presidency?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185865203/two-key-candidates-barred-from-seeking-irans-presidency?ft=1&f=1009 The Guardian Council, which vets all candidates, approved eight names, but left out an influential former president and a top aide to the current president. Their exclusion gives establishment-friendly candidates a clear path to the presidency in the June 14 election.

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]]> Iran's 'Zahra' Tells Alternate Tale Of Presidential Campaign What do you do when you can't openly wage a campaign for the presidency? Some Iranians inside and outside the country have turned to the heroine of an online graphic novel who has embarked on a virtual campaign. Mon, 20 May 2013 16:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/20/185558815/irans-zahra-tells-alternate-tale-of-presidential-campaign?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/20/185558815/irans-zahra-tells-alternate-tale-of-presidential-campaign?ft=1&f=1009 What do you do when you can't openly wage a campaign for the presidency? Some Iranians inside and outside the country have turned to the heroine of an online graphic novel who has embarked on a virtual campaign.

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]]> Former U.S. Ambassador: 'Don't Go In Blind' To Syria Robert Siegel talks with Ryan Crocker, former U.S. ambassador to both Iraq and Afghanistan, about how lessons learned in those conflicts could inform how the U.S. deals with Syria today. Crocker is now a fellow at the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University. Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185596314/former-u-s-ambassador-dont-go-into-blind-to-syria?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185596314/former-u-s-ambassador-dont-go-into-blind-to-syria?ft=1&f=1009 Robert Siegel talks with Ryan Crocker, former U.S. ambassador to both Iraq and Afghanistan, about how lessons learned in those conflicts could inform how the U.S. deals with Syria today. Crocker is now a fellow at the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University.

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]]> Volunteer Group Hopes To Save Syria's 'Lost Generation' In the narrow streets of the Sabra refugee camp in Beirut, there is an apartment without windows. It's a rather gloomy place for a kindergarten, but the only place available for 70 Syrian refugee children from cities like Aleppo, Homs and Deraa. A group of volunteers come to help the children overcome their traumas through music, drawing and theater classes once a week. Some kids don't speak for weeks when they first arrive to Lebanon. A recent U.N. report warned that a "lost generation" of Syrian children is growing. The organization Save the Children reports talks about mass destruction of schools and lack of schooling. Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185596316&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185596316&ft=1&f=1009 In the narrow streets of the Sabra refugee camp in Beirut, there is an apartment without windows. It's a rather gloomy place for a kindergarten, but the only place available for 70 Syrian refugee children from cities like Aleppo, Homs and Deraa. A group of volunteers come to help the children overcome their traumas through music, drawing and theater classes once a week. Some kids don't speak for weeks when they first arrive to Lebanon. A recent U.N. report warned that a "lost generation" of Syrian children is growing. The organization Save the Children reports talks about mass destruction of schools and lack of schooling.

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]]> Syrian Troops Target Key Rebel-Held Town Qusair is a strategically important town that lies between Homs, where the Syrian uprising began two years ago, and the Lebanese border. If President Bashar Assad's troops – reportedly backed by Hezbollah fighters — regain the town, they would control an important route from the coast to the capital, Damascus. Sun, 19 May 2013 18:35:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/19/185363866/syrian-troops-target-key-rebel-held-town?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/19/185363866/syrian-troops-target-key-rebel-held-town?ft=1&f=1009 Qusair is a strategically important town that lies between Homs, where the Syrian uprising began two years ago, and the Lebanese border. If President Bashar Assad's troops – reportedly backed by Hezbollah fighters — regain the town, they would control an important route from the coast to the capital, Damascus.

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]]> How The Syria Debate Is Playing Out In The Middle East Host Rachel Martin talks with Ramez Maluf, professor of journalism at Lebanese American University in Beirut, about different views in Arab media on the Syrian conflict. Sun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185247361&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185247361&ft=1&f=1009 Host Rachel Martin talks with Ramez Maluf, professor of journalism at Lebanese American University in Beirut, about different views in Arab media on the Syrian conflict.

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]]> Iranian Candidate Hopes To Take International Viewpoint Home This week, the final roster for candidates in Iran's presidential election will be announced by the country's religious Guardian Council. Host Rachel Martin talks with Iranian-American Rutgers professor Hooshang Amirahmadi about his candidacy. Sun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/185247357/iranian-candidate-hopes-to-take-international-viewpoint-home?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/185247357/iranian-candidate-hopes-to-take-international-viewpoint-home?ft=1&f=1009 This week, the final roster for candidates in Iran's presidential election will be announced by the country's religious Guardian Council. Host Rachel Martin talks with Iranian-American Rutgers professor Hooshang Amirahmadi about his candidacy.

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]]> Revisiting U.S. Commitment To The Middle East Two years ago on May 19, President Obama called for a new chapter in American diplomacy, promising to make it a top priority to support democracy and human rights in a changing Middle East. Some experts say that the U.S. has failed to live up to that commitment in places like Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. The conflict in Syria has also opened a darker chapter in the Arab uprisings. Sun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185247359&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185247359&ft=1&f=1009 Two years ago on May 19, President Obama called for a new chapter in American diplomacy, promising to make it a top priority to support democracy and human rights in a changing Middle East. Some experts say that the U.S. has failed to live up to that commitment in places like Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. The conflict in Syria has also opened a darker chapter in the Arab uprisings.

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]]> Bashar Assad: A Political Solution In Syria Is 'Unreal' The Syrian president also left no room for his departure. "The captain of a ship doesn't flee when faced with a storm," he said during an interview with an Argentine newspaper. Sat, 18 May 2013 15:09:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/18/185094064/bashar-assad-a-political-solution-in-syria-is-unreal?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/18/185094064/bashar-assad-a-political-solution-in-syria-is-unreal?ft=1&f=1009 The Syrian president also left no room for his departure. "The captain of a ship doesn't flee when faced with a storm," he said during an interview with an Argentine newspaper.

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]]> U.N. Tries To Get Syria Peace Talks Back On Track U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, saying it is important not to "lose momentum" in the effort to convene a peace conference on Syria. Ban was only the latest in a string of foreign dignitaries who have come to Russia, seeking Putin's blessing for such a conference, expected to be held in early June. There's a lot at stake. Russia has been a long-time supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and continues to supply weapons to his regime. U.S. officials have said lately that those weapons include advanced missile systems for attacking ships and airplanes. If Assad already has such weapons, they could pose a real threat to international efforts to impose a no-fly zone, to deliver supplies to the rebels, or to maintain a maritime embargo. Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184845128&ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184845128&ft=1&f=1009 U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, saying it is important not to "lose momentum" in the effort to convene a peace conference on Syria. Ban was only the latest in a string of foreign dignitaries who have come to Russia, seeking Putin's blessing for such a conference, expected to be held in early June. There's a lot at stake. Russia has been a long-time supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and continues to supply weapons to his regime. U.S. officials have said lately that those weapons include advanced missile systems for attacking ships and airplanes. If Assad already has such weapons, they could pose a real threat to international efforts to impose a no-fly zone, to deliver supplies to the rebels, or to maintain a maritime embargo.

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]]> Doctor: 'We Truly Are Failing The Syrian People' Stephen Cornish of Doctors Without Borders was recently in Syria. He talks to Audie Cornish about how medical personnel are managing to reach patients in the war-torn nation where he says there is a lack of respect for doctors on both sides of the conflict. Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184845130/doctor-we-truly-are-failing-the-syrian-people?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184845130/doctor-we-truly-are-failing-the-syrian-people?ft=1&f=1009 Stephen Cornish of Doctors Without Borders was recently in Syria. He talks to Audie Cornish about how medical personnel are managing to reach patients in the war-torn nation where he says there is a lack of respect for doctors on both sides of the conflict.

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]]> Young Gazan Men Get Unwanted Haircuts, Courtesy Of Police The Islamic group Hamas runs the Gaza Strip and controls the police force. A number of young men say police plucked them from the street and shaved their heads recently, apparently because the officers didn't approve of their hairstyles. Fri, 17 May 2013 10:39:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/16/184482964/young-gazan-men-get-unwanted-haircuts-courtesy-of-police?ft=1&f=1009 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/16/184482964/young-gazan-men-get-unwanted-haircuts-courtesy-of-police?ft=1&f=1009 The Islamic group Hamas runs the Gaza Strip and controls the police force. A number of young men say police plucked them from the street and shaved their heads recently, apparently because the officers didn't approve of their hairstyles.

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