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Sunday

Small Syrian Border Town Magnifies Rift Between Rebel Groups

A Free Syrian Army soldier stands on a Syrian military tank in front of a damaged mosque in the Syrian town of Azaz in September 2012. A different rebel group, an al-Qaida offshoot, took over the town on Wednesday. Hussein Malla/AP hide caption

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Hussein Malla/AP

Parallels

Small Syrian Border Town Magnifies Rift Between Rebel Groups

An al-Qaida offshoot has taken Azaz from Western-backed Free Syrian Army fighters, demonstrating the growing power of jihadists. Azaz, an economic gateway between Syria and Turkey, is now cut off.

Tuesday

Why Are U.S. Presidents Calling On The Military So Often?

U.S. forces transfer a missile for a fighter plane as the military prepared for war in Iraq, in Saudi Arabia in 1990. American presidents have been calling on the military frequently since the end of the Cold War more than two decades ago. Gerard Fouet/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Gerard Fouet/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

Why Are U.S. Presidents Calling On The Military So Often?

Despite the end of the Cold War, U.S. presidents are sending the U.S. military into battle with great frequency. The military has carried out more than a dozen separate operations since the first Gulf War in Iraq in 1991.

Monday

Talk Of Strike On Syria Moves From 'Will It Happen?' To When

Ammunition was stacked up Saturday in an area near Damascus that is controlled by forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. Khaled al-Hariri/Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Khaled al-Hariri/Reuters /Landov

The Two-Way

Talk Of Strike On Syria Moves From 'Will It Happen?' To When

American officials say there's little doubt the Assad regime used chemical weapons to kill scores of people last week. As U.S. Navy ships close in, analysts say it's likely that cruise missiles will be fired at Syrian "command and control" centers in coming days. The goal? Alter Assad's behavior.

On 'Morning Edition': Aaron David Miller speaks with Renee Montagne about the situation in Syria

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Thursday

Mubarak's Case: What's The Best Approach With Ex-Dictators?

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was released from prison on Thursday and put under house arrest at a military hospital. Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters/Landov

Parallels

Mubarak's Case: What's The Best Approach With Ex-Dictators?

Hosni Mubarak's fate remains in limbo, and it raises a recurring question about deposed dictators. Is it better to put them on trial and scrutinize their records, or is it preferable that they disappear into exile?

Tuesday

Obama Meets With Mideast Negotiators

Secretary of State John Kerry leaves the West Wing of the White House with chief negotiators, Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (back to camera), Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat (right) and others, after a meeting with President Obama on Tuesday. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Obama Meets With Mideast Negotiators

A White House official called it a "quick check-in." Media reports say the president reminded negotiators to exhibit good will.

Saturday

After A Rapid Rise, A Challenge To Political Islam

Egyptian soldiers stand guard outside the Republican Guard building in Cairo on Friday. Egyptian troops clashed with mostly Islamist protesters demanding the restoration of the ousted president, Mohammed Morsi. Khalil Hamra/AP hide caption

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Khalil Hamra/AP

Parallels

After A Rapid Rise, A Challenge To Political Islam

Well-organized Islamist groups have risen to power in several countries in recent years. But their track record for governing has been poor overall, and the events in Egypt suggest they may be facing a backlash.

Monday

In A Rough Neighborhood, Jordan Clings To Its Stability

Jordanian protesters chant slogans against corruption during a March 15 anti-government demonstration in Amman. Jordanians have held Arab Spring-inspired protests since 2011, demanding political reforms and anti-corruption measures. The protests have been peaceful. Khalil Mazraawi/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Khalil Mazraawi/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

In A Rough Neighborhood, Jordan Clings To Its Stability

Amid the turbulent Middle East, Jordan remains stable — for now. But internal and external pressures are mounting. From within, a faltering economy and a popular demand for a say in how the country is governed. And from without, a flood of refugees from Syria that are straining resources.

In A Rough Neighborhood, Jordan Clings To Its Stability

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Wednesday

Thanks, But No: Social Media Refuses To Share With Turkey

An anti-government protester wearing a gas mask uses a cellphone to read the news on social media as demonstrators gather at midnight in Istanbul's Taksim Gezi Park on June 13. Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

Thanks, But No: Social Media Refuses To Share With Turkey

In its latest effort to rein in the country's vibrant social media, Turkey says it has requested cooperation from Twitter and Facebook; they're not playing ball. Protesters are embracing social media — and the government has complained that such outlets won't share user data with law enforcement.

Sunday

Saturday

Thursday

Palestinian Girls Look For Ways To Protest, Without Stones

Yusra Hammed, 15, puts the finishing touches on a drawing on a wall inside her family's home in Silwad, a village in the West Bank. Hammed says, like many Palestinian girls, she does not throw rocks at Israeli soldiers; but she expresses her opposition through alternate channels, such as art. Emiliy Harris/NPR hide caption

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Emiliy Harris/NPR

Parallels

Palestinian Girls Look For Ways To Protest, Without Stones

What's the most effective way to protest? Teenage Palestinian boys have a long tradition of throwing stones at, and getting arrested by, Israeli soldiers. Palestinian girls say they are no less patriotic, but most don't believe that stone throwing is the best way to achieve their goals.

Palestinian Girls Look For Ways To Protest, Without Stones

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Monday

A panel from Amir Soltani's Zahra on the Campaign Trail. Drawing by Khalil.

A panel from Amir Soltani's Zahra on the Campaign Trail. Drawing by Khalil. Amir Soltani hide caption

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Amir Soltani

Parallels

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.

Iran's 'Zahra' Tells Alternate Tale Of Presidential Campaign

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Thursday

Sunday

Wednesday

Recipes, Not Rockets: Cookbook Offers New Lens On Gaza

Members of the Zeitun Women's Cooperative prepare a meal. These women take catering orders for special events, using the proceeds to help support their families in an area with "nearly universal male under- and unemployment," the authors of The Gaza Kitchen write. Courtesy of Laila El-Haddad and Maggie Schmitt hide caption

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Courtesy of Laila El-Haddad and Maggie Schmitt

The Salt

Recipes, Not Rockets: Cookbook Offers New Lens On Gaza

The Gaza Kitchen weaves little-known stories of Gaza food and farming among Palestinian home-cooking recipes. It's an effort not just to document the flavors of modern and historic Gaza, but also to start a new conversation about the place and its people.