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Tuesday

Ohio Governor John Kasich speaking at the National Press Club Tuesday.

Ohio Governor John Kasich speaking at the National Press Club Tuesday. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

Kasich: 'Reasonable' To 'Pause' Resettlement Of Syrian Refugees

The Ohio governor and 2016 GOP presidential hopeful outlined his foreign policy agenda in an interview with NPR, saying, "I think it is absolutely critical to invite our moderate Muslim friends."

Kasich: 'Reasonable' To 'Pause' Resettlement Of Syrian Refugees

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Wednesday

Amid Security Threats, Tunis' Only Kosher Restaurant Shutters

Jacob LaLoush poses beside bougainvillea flowers outside his kosher restaurant in Sidi Bou Said, outside Tunis, in 2012. He says his is the only kosher restaurant left in all of Tunis. John Poole/NPR hide caption

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John Poole/NPR

The Salt

Amid Security Threats, Tunis' Only Kosher Restaurant Shutters

NPR first visited Jacob LaLoush's restaurant, a vestige of Tunisia's ancient and once-thriving Jewish community, in 2012. But the country has become more restive in the years since the Arab Spring.

Amid Security Threats, Tunis' Only Kosher Restaurant Shutters

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Wednesday

Syrian Civil War Prompts First Withdrawal From Doomsday Seed Vault In The Arctic

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was opened on Feb. 26, 2008. Carved into the Arctic permafrost and filled with samples of the world's most important seeds, it's a Noah's Ark of food crops to be used in the event of a global catastrophe. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Syrian Civil War Prompts First Withdrawal From Doomsday Seed Vault In The Arctic

Researchers in the Middle East have requested the first-ever withdrawal from the "final backup" seed bank because of destruction caused by the Syrian civil war.

Tuesday

National

As U.S. Announces Plan To Accept More Refugees, Michigan Gets Ready

Michigan Public

Southeast Michigan has taken in waves of refugees from the Middle East conflicts for decades, resulting in a strong Arab-American community. Refugee advocates say they're prepared to help Syrians.

As U.S. Announces Plan To Accept More Refugees, Michigan Gets Ready

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Tuesday

Sunday

After 25-Year Hiatus, First Arabic-Language 'Sesame Street' Opens Again

Gargur, No'maan, Melsoon and Shams — four of the Muppet stars of Iftah Ya Simsim, the first Arabic-language version of Sesame Street. The show went off the air 25 years ago, and other Arabic-language Sesame Street spinoffs have launched since — but now, the original is debuting again. Sesame Workshop hide caption

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Sesame Workshop

World

After 25-Year Hiatus, First Arabic-Language 'Sesame Street' Opens Again

Iftah Ya Simsim was one of the earliest foreign-language Sesame Street spinoffs when it launched in 1979. But the beloved show went dark when its studio was partially destroyed during the Gulf War.

After 25-Year Hiatus, First Arabic-Language 'Sesame Street' Opens Again

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Thursday

Here's What It's Like To Be A Syrian Refugee In Europe

Dalaa al-Aydi, 4, and her family left Syria just before the start of the civil war. Her only memory of Damascus is, "Takh, takh," the sounds she makes mimicking the gunfire. Holly Pickett for NPR hide caption

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Holly Pickett for NPR

Parallels

Here's What It's Like To Be A Syrian Refugee In Europe

In February, NPR published this look at families struggling to stay together amid civil war. The crisis has only intensified since then and we are republishing the original story.

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

In The West Bank, Facebook Posts Can Get You Arrested, Or Worse

The indictment against 24-year-old Palestinian Ayman Mahareeq says comments he posted on Facebook illegally insulted the West Bank police force and the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank. Emily Harris/NPR hide caption

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Emily Harris/NPR

Parallels

In The West Bank, Facebook Posts Can Get You Arrested, Or Worse

A Palestinian man in Ramallah faces charges of insulting officials — based on his Facebook comments. This case and others point to the limits to free speech under the Palestinian Authority.

In The West Bank, Facebook Posts Can Get You Arrested, Or Worse

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Sunday

Why MERS Is Likely To Crop Up Outside The Middle East Again

A dangerous nuzzle? A man in western Abu Dhabi hugs a camel brought in from Saudi Arabia for beauty contests. Middle East respiratory syndrome circulates in camels across the Arabian Peninsula. Dave Yoder/National Geographic hide caption

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Dave Yoder/National Geographic

Goats and Soda

Why MERS Is Likely To Crop Up Outside The Middle East Again

It's unknown what triggers an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome. But scientists think the virus comes from camels. So until we stop it in animals, MERS will continue to cause trouble.

Why MERS Is Likely To Crop Up Outside The Middle East Again

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Tuesday

Debate: Is Obama's Iran Deal Good for America?
Samuel LaHoz/Intelligence Squared U.S.

Intelligence Squared U.S.

Debate: Is Obama's Iran Deal Good for America?

Critics fear that a recent deal between the U.S. and Iran on nuclear weapons would strengthen Iran's hand in the Middle East. Experts face off over this in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate.

Debate: Is Obama's Iran Deal Good for America?

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Saturday

South Korea Struggles To Contain Deadly MERS Virus' Spread

In this photo from 2014, passengers walk past the Middle East respiratory syndrome quarantine area at Manila's International Airport in the Phillipines. The virus is now raising public concern in South Korea. Aaron Favila/AP hide caption

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Aaron Favila/AP

Goats and Soda

South Korea Struggles To Contain Deadly MERS Virus' Spread

Health officials in South Korea are coming under fire after cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, swelled from one to 13 inside of two weeks.

Sunday

China Promises $46 Billion To Pave The Way For A Brand New Silk Road
Alyson Hurt/NPR

Goats and Soda

China Promises $46 Billion To Pave The Way For A Brand New Silk Road

Improving Pakistan's infrastructure will be the first step in creating a network of roads, railways, pipelines and shipping lanes that stretch all the way to Europe.

China Promises $46 Billion To Pave The Way For A Brand New Silk Road

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Wednesday

Merchant Ships Called On To Aid Migrants In Mediterranean Feel The Strain

The King Jacob, a Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel, was the first ship to arrive near the migrant boat that sank off the Libyan coast over the weekend. The boat had been carrying more than 800 people. Alessandro Fucarini/AP hide caption

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Alessandro Fucarini/AP

Parallels

Merchant Ships Called On To Aid Migrants In Mediterranean Feel The Strain

Commercial ships have rescued tens of thousands of migrants trying to cross by boat to Europe from Africa and the Middle East. But the vessels and their crews aren't equipped to handle these missions.

Merchant Ships Called On To Aid Migrants In Mediterranean Feel The Strain

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