Accessibility links
Leila Fadel Leila Fadel is a host of Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.
Leila Fadel, photographed for NPR, 2 May 2022, in Washington DC. Photo by Mike Morgan for NPR.
Stories By

Leila Fadel

Tuesday

Middle East

Police In Cairo Use Tear Gas To Break Up Protests Against Egypt's Government

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has maintained his popularity through two years of controversy and brutal crackdowns. But on Tuesday there were signs of people getting impatient with his rule.

Police In Cairo Use Tear Gas To Break Up Protests Against Egypt's Government

Listen · 3:45
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/475696000/475696001" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Europe

Migrants Wait In Moroccan Forest For A Chance To Cross Into Europe

Desperate African migrants often camp out in the forest for months or years waiting for a chance to jump fences and walls toward two nearby Spanish enclaves — their opportunity to reach Europe.

Migrants Wait In Moroccan Forest For A Chance To Cross Into Europe

Listen · 4:23
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/475079102/475079103" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

A Crackdown In Egypt, Reflecting A Broader Trend In The Region

Egyptian human rights activist Hossam Bahgat (center) leaves a Cairo courtroom on Wednesday after a hearing in which the state requested a travel ban and freeze of his assests. The government has taken action against a number of groups and activists in what crictis say is an attempt to suppress opposition. MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

A Crackdown In Egypt, Reflecting A Broader Trend In The Region

Egypt is investigating several prominent human rights groups. Similar moves are taking place in neighboring countries, dashing hopes of greater freedoms generated by the Arab uprisings.

A Crackdown In Egypt, Reflecting A Broader Trend In The Region

Listen · 2:48
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/474935492/474935493" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Morocco Boasts Stability, But Critics Say The Price Is High

Morocco's King Mohammed VI waves during a ceremony at the royal palace in the capital Rabat in 2014. Following the Arab uprisings of 2011, the king introduced limited changes and a new constitution. But critics say freedom of expression and other rights have been curtailed in recent years. Abdeljalil Bounhar/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Abdeljalil Bounhar/AP

Parallels

Morocco Boasts Stability, But Critics Say The Price Is High

Morocco has fared better than most Arab countries in recent years. But opponents say free expression and other rights have been curtailed as the monarchy guards against any hint of unrest.

Morocco Boasts Stability, But Critics Say The Price Is High

Listen · 4:01
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/474368034/474569190" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Morocco, Long A Stopover For African Migrants, Becomes A Destination

Morocco's King Mohammed VI, shown here in November 2015, introduced changes two years ago that have allowed more than 20,000 sub-Saharan Africans to settle in the country. Such a policy is extremely rare in the Arab world. Abdeljalil Bounhar/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Abdeljalil Bounhar/AP

Parallels

Morocco, Long A Stopover For African Migrants, Becomes A Destination

Morocco has done something extremely rare for the Arab world — granted legal status to many African migrants. But the migrants still face discrimination and steep cultural barriers.

Morocco, Long A Stopover For African Migrants, Becomes A Destination

Listen · 4:28
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/473972929/473992384" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

She's Lost 2 Daughters To ISIS; Will Her Younger Girls Be Next?

Tunisian Olfa Hamrouni points at pictures of her daughters Rahma (above) and Ghofran. The teenage girls were exploited by extremist recruits and left their homeland to join ISIS in neighboring Libya. Leila Fadel/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Leila Fadel/NPR

Parallels

She's Lost 2 Daughters To ISIS; Will Her Younger Girls Be Next?

A Tunisian mother says poverty and a lack of education and opportunity drove her older daughters to join ISIS. Without help, she fears that her younger girls will become "two little bombs."

She's Lost 2 Daughters To ISIS; Will Her Younger Girls Be Next?

Listen · 4:52
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/473201945/473201946" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Tunisia's Fragile Democracy Faces A Threat From Chaotic Libya

Tunisian soldiers patrol the outskirts of Ben Guerdane, in southern Tunisia, on March 8. Islamic State extremists crossed over from nearby Libya on March 7. They were beaten back, but the episode raised concerns that Libya's chaos could spread to Tunisia. AP hide caption

toggle caption
AP

Parallels

Tunisia's Fragile Democracy Faces A Threat From Chaotic Libya

Islamic State fighters from neighboring Libya stormed into a Tunisian border town this month. The Tunisian security forces beat ISIS back — this time. But the Tunisians fear more attacks are coming.

Tunisia's Fragile Democracy Faces A Threat From Chaotic Libya

Listen · 4:27
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472406949/472442427" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Africa

Tunisians Worry Militant Attacks Threaten Country's Shaky Democracy

Tunisia's democracy is threatened by attacks from Tunisians who went to lawless Libya and became militants. Now there's fear the country's attempt to crack down will morph into authoritarianism.

Tunisians Worry Militant Attacks Threaten Country's Shaky Democracy

Listen · 3:28
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472365291/472365292" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Middle East

Man Identified As EgyptAir Hijacker Wanted To Talk With Ex-Wife

The incident involving EgyptAir Flight 181 ended with an arrest and all passengers and crew being released. The suspect, whose demands changed during the morning, had partly personal motivations.

Man Identified As EgyptAir Hijacker Wanted To Talk With Ex-Wife

Listen · 4:16
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472234877/472234878" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Middle East

EgyptAir Passengers And Crew Released, Hijacker Arrested

Flight 181 was diverted while flying from the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria to the capital, Cairo, and later landed in Cyprus, where some women and children were allowed to deboard.

EgyptAir Passengers And Crew Released, Hijacker Arrested

Listen · 3:20
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472232794/472232795" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Middle East

Amid Ride-Booking Rivalries, Many Cairo Women Turn To Uber For Safe Passage

In Cairo, taxi drivers are fighting the encroachment of ride-booking services like Uber. But many Egyptians, especially women, say they prefer Uber since they feel safer with the company's drivers.

Amid Ride-Booking Rivalries, Many Cairo Women Turn To Uber For Safe Passage

Listen · 3:54
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472176273/472176274" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Europe

British Government Debates How To Repair Crumbling Parliament Building

The seat of the British parliament, the Palace of Westminster, has stood in some form on the banks of the Thames since the 11th century. But today the building, with its iconic Big Ben clock tower, is crumbling and needs a major restoration which will cost billions.

British Government Debates How To Repair Crumbling Parliament Building

Listen · 3:31
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/469083161/469083162" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

In Egypt, Growing Discontent Over Abuses By Police

Egyptian mourners carry the coffin of Mohammed Darbaka, who was allegedly shot dead by a policeman over a payment dispute, during his funeral on Feb. 19 in Cairo. AFP/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

In Egypt, Growing Discontent Over Abuses By Police

When a young truck driver was shot and killed in Cairo last month, it sparked protests. As concern grows over police abuse and judicial misconduct, the state seems worried about a backlash.

In Egypt, Growing Discontent Over Abuses By Police

Listen · 3:40
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468923828/469692270" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Anti-Trump Voices Grow Louder In Scotland After Development Rift

Donald Trump played a round of golf after his Trump International Golf Links Course opened in July 2012 in Balmedie, Scotland, near Aberdeen. Ian MacNicol/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Parallels

Anti-Trump Voices Grow Louder In Scotland After Development Rift

Donald Trump promised to bring thousands of jobs and tourism to Aberdeen. A decade later, he has angered the neighbors of his luxury golf course. "He promises the earth, delivers nothing," says one.

Anti-Trump Voices Grow Louder In Scotland After Development Rift

Listen · 3:55
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/467036682/467036683" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Europe

U.N. Panel Rules Julian Assange Is Being Arbitrarily Detained

A U.N. panel ruled that Julian Assange has been arbitrarily detained in the Ecuadoran embassy in London. The United Kingdom says that's nonsense and points out the WikiLeaks founder is free to leave his embassy refuge at any time.

U.N. Panel Rules Julian Assange Is Being Arbitrarily Detained

Listen · 3:01
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/465748291/465748292" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript