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Fatma Tanis Fatma Tanis is a correspondent covering global health and development for NPR.
Fatma Tanis
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Fatma Tanis

Monday

'I can dream it, but I can't afford it': The stark reality of life in Iran right now

Inside the Grand Bazaar, a trader carries a carpet from Qom, which is known for its silk carpets. Marjan Yazdi for NPR hide caption

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Marjan Yazdi for NPR

The Picture Show

'I can dream it, but I can't afford it': The stark reality of life in Iran right now

It's been more than five months since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody, which sparked mass protests in Iran. But part of what fueled them was a sense of economic desperation.

'I can dream it, but I can't afford it': The stark reality of life in Iran right now

Listen · 7:55
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Thursday

Iran's government has tamped down most protests. But anger and desperation persist

Women hold up signs depicting the image of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of Iranian authorities, during a demonstration denouncing her death by Iraqi and Iranian Kurds outside the U.N. offices in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on Sept. 24, 2022. SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images

On the ground in Iran

Iran's government has tamped down most protests. But anger and desperation persist

A government crackdown has successfully scared demonstrators off the streets in most of Iran, but conversations with regular people reveal a simmering frustration with the regime.

Iran's government has tamped down most protests. But anger and desperation persist

Listen · 7:10
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Where does Iran go now?

A protester holds a portrait of Mahsa Amini during a demonstration in her support in front of the Iranian embassy in Brussels on September 23, 2022. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

On the ground in Iran

Where does Iran go now?

Iran's government has barely given an inch after months of widespread protests. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks Ali Vaez, the Iran Project's director at the International Crisis Group, what happens next.

Where does Iran go now?

Listen · 4:00
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Wednesday

'I can dream it, but I can't afford it': Iranians on their bleak economy

A carpet trader from Qom in the Tehran Grand Bazaar, Feb. 8, 2023. Marjan Yazdi for NPR hide caption

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Marjan Yazdi for NPR

On the ground in Iran

'I can dream it, but I can't afford it': Iranians on their bleak economy

Iranians of all political stripes complain of a dead-end economy. Some blame U.S. sanctions while others fault government mismanagement and corruption.

'I can dream it, but I can't afford it': Iranians on their bleak economy

Listen · 7:55
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Tuesday

In Tehran, forgoing a headscarf is a quiet, daring protest

A women in Tajrish Square in Tehran, Iran, in Feb. 2023. Marjan Yazdi for NPR hide caption

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Marjan Yazdi for NPR

On the ground in Iran

In Tehran, forgoing a headscarf is a quiet, daring protest

Mahsa Amini's death after an alleged violation of Iran's strict dress code sparked months of protests. Now, Tehran's streets are crowded with women with uncovered hair: an act of bravery and dissent.

In Tehran, forgoing a headscarf is a quiet, daring protest

Listen · 8:14
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Sunday

Thursday

Middle East

Foreign minister says Iranians can freely voice ideas despite thousands detained

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Iran's foreign minister about free expression, Americans being held prisoner in his country and the future of the Iran nuclear deal.

Foreign minister says Iranians can freely voice ideas despite thousands detained

Listen · 8:14
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In Iran, NPR sees anger and desperation. Its government tells us nothing is wrong

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly interviews the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, in Tehran. Marjan Yazdi for NPR hide caption

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Marjan Yazdi for NPR

On the ground in Iran

In Iran, NPR sees anger and desperation. Its government tells us nothing is wrong

In an interview with NPR in Tehran, Iran's foreign minister dismisses the protests that have spread in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death, saying "nothing important had happened."

In Iran, NPR sees anger and desperation. Its government tells us nothing is wrong

Listen · 15:48
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Wednesday

Middle East

NPR asks Iran's foreign minister about anti-government protests and global relations

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Tehran.

NPR asks Iran's foreign minister about anti-government protests and global relations

Listen · 15:48
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Monday

Middle East

A music school wants to revive Turkish and Syrian connections through song

Founded by refugee musicians, a music institute in Southern Turkey tries to revive forgotten Syrian classics and integrate Turkish and Syrian cultures with music the two have shared for centuries.

A music school wants to revive Turkish and Syrian connections through song

Listen · 8:17
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Thursday

Middle East

Syrian refugees in Turkey face racist attacks and the fear of deportation

Syrian refugees found refuge in southern Turkey, even building businesses that help the local economy. But now the political winds are shifting, and many feel they're no longer welcome.

Syrian refugees in Turkey face racist attacks and the fear of deportation

Listen · 7:13
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Saturday

Asia

Turkey plays a tough balancing act as it strengthens ties with Russia

While the West has cut off much of its business with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, NATO member Turkey has increased its trade with Russia for political and economic reasons.

Turkey plays a tough balancing act as it strengthens ties with Russia

Listen · 4:16
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Thursday

Wednesday

Turkey is friendly with both Russia and Ukraine. Now it wants them to talk peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Sixth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Oct. 13. Vyacheslav Prokofyez/Sputnik/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Vyacheslav Prokofyez/Sputnik/AFP/Getty Images

Ukraine invasion — explained

Turkey is friendly with both Russia and Ukraine. Now it wants them to talk peace

Turkey, a NATO ally, has positioned itself as a neutral player in the Ukraine war — as being pro-Ukrainian without being anti-Russian.

Monday

Europe

Turkey uses its influence with both Ukraine and Russia to get them to negotiate

After helping shore up the deal to allow grain shipments out of Ukraine, Turkey continues to ride the middle road in the war there, as a leading government official explains.

Turkey uses its influence with both Ukraine and Russia to get them to negotiate

Listen · 3:55
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