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Daniel Estrin Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.
Daniel Estrin
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Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin
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Daniel Estrin
Daniel Estrin
Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin

International Correspondent, Jerusalem

Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.

Since joining NPR in 2017, he has reported from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. He has chronicled the Trump administration's policies that have shaped the region, and told stories of everyday life for Israelis and Palestinians. He has also uncovered tales of ancient manuscripts, secret agents and forbidden travel.

He and his team were awarded an Edward R. Murrow award for a 2019 report challenging the U.S. military's account about its raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Estrin has reported from the Middle East for over a decade, including seven years with the Associated Press. His reporting has taken him to Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Russia and Ukraine. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Republic, PRI's The World and other media.

Story Archive

Wednesday

U.S. allows Israelis visa-free entry as Israel opens travel to Palestinian Americans

Passengers at the check-in desks in the departures hall at Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 30, 2021. Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Middle East

U.S. allows Israelis visa-free entry as Israel opens travel to Palestinian Americans

The decision is part of a deal that requires Israel to end bans and restrictions on Palestinian Americans and other Arab Americans traveling to Israel.

U.S. allows Israelis visa-free entry as Israel opens travel to Palestinian Americans

Listen · 4:23
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Tuesday

Middle East

A day of atonement turns tense in Israel as secular-religious divide heats up

In secular Tel Aviv, a religious group sought to pray in a public square with women and men segregated — until secular protestors confronted them.

A day of atonement turns tense in Israel as secular-religious divide heats up

Listen · 2:43
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Sunday

Investigations

NPR investigation finds flaws in U.S. claims about civilian deaths in raid that killed ISIS leader

NPR investigates whether the U.S. government told the truth in saying that no civilians were killed when the Pentagon took out the leader of ISIS in 2019.

NPR investigation finds flaws in U.S. claims about civilian deaths in raid that killed ISIS leader

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Friday

Weather

How this summer's extreme heat waves are connected to flooding, hurricanes

We take a look at the role climate change might be playing in the unexpected extreme weather around the globe, including the cyclones in Brazil during the southern winter.

How this summer's extreme heat waves are connected to flooding, hurricanes

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Business

Sucking carbon dioxide out of the sky is moving from science fiction to reality

Occidental Petroleum is investing in billion-dollar projects to suck carbon dioxide out of the sky. The effort is raising hopes — and eyebrows.

Sucking carbon dioxide out of the sky is moving from science fiction to reality

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Climate

Morning news brief

Can a summer of extreme weather be linked to climate change? Ukraine is the only country that relies on nuclear power to withstand an invasion. Unemployment lingers in Maui a month after deadly fires.

Morning news brief

Listen · 11:08
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Cooking chicken soup for the Shabbat soul

Adeena Sussman, Jewish culinary guru and author of the new cookbook Shabbat, at the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv on Friday morning, Sept. 1, 2023. Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NPR hide caption

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Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NPR

Author Interviews

Cooking chicken soup for the Shabbat soul

Cookbook author Adeena Sussman makes Dilly Chicken and Rice Soup from her book Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals from My Table to Yours.

Cooking chicken soup for the Shabbat soul

Listen · 7:02
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Tuesday

National

The impeachment trial of suspended Texas attorney general to begin in state Senate

Texas Regional Hub Service

Ken Paxton faces 20 charges, including obstruction of justice, conspiracy, abuse of office and bribery — mostly involving his relationship with an Austin real estate developer and campaign donor.

The impeachment trial of suspended Texas attorney general to begin in state Senate

Listen · 3:25
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Middle East

Why Israel has ended travel restrictions for Palestinian Americans

The U.S. is on the verge of granting Israelis the right to travel here without visas like many other nationalities. Israel is lifting restrictions for Palestinians and Arabs, who are U.S. citizens.

Why Israel has ended travel restrictions for Palestinian Americans

Listen · 7:45
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Politics

Morning news brief

The Senate returns to Washington after a month-long recess. The impeachment trial of Texas' suspended attorney general begins Tuesday. A case in Canada will test the country's antiterrorism laws.

Morning news brief

Listen · 11:27
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Law

Jury selection to begin in Canada for a man accused of murdering a Muslim family

Prosecutors say in 2021, Nathaniel Veltman killed three generations of the Afzaal family with his pickup truck because of their religious faith. It's being called a test of Canada's terrorism laws.

Jury selection to begin in Canada for a man accused of murdering a Muslim family

Listen · 3:38
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Author Interviews

Black women recorded famous rock 'n' rolls songs but few remember their names

NPR's Daniel Estrin talks to Emily Sieu Liebowitz and Laura Flam, the authors of But Will You Love Me Tomorrow. It's a collection of interviews of more than 100 members of girl groups in the 1960s.

Black women recorded famous rock 'n' rolls songs but few remember their names

Listen · 6:49
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Monday

Business

Morning news brief

Polls show union support is close to its highest level in more than 50 years. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he's replacing his defense minister. The leaders of Russia and Turkey are meeting.

Morning news brief

Listen · 11:09
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Space

Sultan Al Neyadi's 6 months in space hailed as a milestone for United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is celebrating the return of one of its astronauts from the International Space Station, where he spent months — and took a step in the UAE's space ambitions.

Sultan Al Neyadi's 6 months in space hailed as a milestone for United Arab Emirates

Listen · 3:46
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Sunday

Sunday

Middle East

The future of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia

NPR's Daniel Estrin speaks with journalists and experts about the possible normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The future of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia

Listen · 11:15
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Saturday

Middle East

Pentagon files reveal flaws in U.S. claims about Syrian casualties in Baghdadi raid

An NPR investigation into Pentagon documents finds flaws in the U.S. claim that civilians were spared in the 2019 operation against the leader of ISIS.

Pentagon files reveal flaws in U.S. claims about Syrian casualties in Baghdadi raid

Listen · 10:19
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Thursday

Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comments on contentious new law

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks about what he plans to do with the contentious judicial overhaul law passed this week, which passed despite pleas from President Biden and protestors.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comments on contentious new law

Listen · 3:22
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After new law, Netanyahu vows to keep attorney general and return felon to office

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the weekly cabinet meeting, in the Western Wall tunnels in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, May 21, 2023. Maya Alleruzzo/AP hide caption

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Maya Alleruzzo/AP

Middle East

After new law, Netanyahu vows to keep attorney general and return felon to office

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not interfere in his corruption trial, vowing to keep the country's attorney general in place. But he considers reappointing a convicted cabinet member.

After new law, Netanyahu vows to keep attorney general and return felon to office

Listen · 7:23
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Tuesday

Man Wounded in US Raid On ISIS Head Says His Future Was Destroyed

Barakat Ahmad Barakat, 39, poses in front of his house in the Syrian village of Hatan on June 24. Barakat sustained injuries from U.S. airstrikes during the 2019 raid on the hideout of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Omar Haj Kadour/AFP for NPR hide caption

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Omar Haj Kadour/AFP for NPR

The NPR Politics Podcast

Man Wounded in US Raid On ISIS Head Says His Future Was Destroyed

The U.S. Defense Department said troops spared civilians during a celebrated 2019 raid against the leader of ISIS, but NPR has uncovered new details that challenge the U.S. claims.

Man Wounded in US Raid On ISIS Head Says His Future Was Destroyed

Listen · 11:33
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Middle East

Protesters react after Israel passes disputed measure to overhaul judiciary

Protesters react after Israel passes a disputed overhaul of the judiciary despite nationwide protests against the measure.

Protesters react after Israel passes disputed measure to overhaul judiciary

Listen · 3:24
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Monday

Middle East

What protestors are saying of the new law reducing Israeli Supreme Court's oversight

Thousands of Israelis are taking to the streets in violent protests with police after parliament eliminated a key power of the Supreme Court to oversee senior governmental appointments and policy.

What protestors are saying of the new law reducing Israeli Supreme Court's oversight

Listen · 3:40
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Israeli lawmakers pass a key law to weaken the judiciary despite public outrage

Israeli security forces remove protesters blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem on Monday. Hazem Bader/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Hazem Bader/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East

Israeli lawmakers pass a key law to weaken the judiciary despite public outrage

The vote in the Knesset capped a monthslong campaign to overhaul the judicial system by Israel's far-right government, a move critics say pushes the country toward authoritarianism.

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