State of Ukraine

For days Israel has been attacking Iran with airstrikes, which they say is an effort to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities. Iran has been responding by firing missiles at Israel. We'll hear what has been hit and what targets may be next. And we compare the two countries' ability to defend against these types of attacks.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Commissioned by Napoleon, the opulent Opera Garnier is named after its architect, Charles Garnier. Garnier rose from the Paris slums to design one of Europe's most celebrated venues. Opera Garnier eventually became the inspiration for the novel and musical, "Phantom of the Opera."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Pakistan and India traded cross-border military strikes in May, a four day flare-up in a long running conflict between the two nuclear-armed countries. Among the significant developments in the brief conflict was the first time a Chinese made fighter plane saw combat. Our correspondent in Mumbai says that debut might have a long term impact.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A new powerful group has risen in Gaza and they are being armed by Israel. The militia calls itself "The Popular Forces" and they are presenting themselves as a counter to Hamas' rule of the territory. Our correspondent tells us what we know about this new armed power.For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The United States hosts many students and scientific researchers from the world's two largest countries, India and China. The U.S. is seen as one of the best places to get and education and on the cutting edge of innovation. But a series of moves by the Trump administration, including greater scrutiny of those applying for student visa and, in the case of China, threats to revoke some visas, are making some rethink their plans.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Amid Israel's expanding war in Gaza and its restrictions on aid entering the territory it's getting harder and harder for civilians to find enough to eat. A U.N.-backed report warns half a million people in Gaza are facing starvation. We hear what life is like there for a mother and her eight children.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump has issued a new travel ban, barring travelers from 12 countries and partially restricting travelers from seven others from coming to the U.S. We hear from reporters in Asia, Latin America and Africa to hear how targeted countries might be affected.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Since the war against Hamas in Gaza began, there have been protests in Israel pressuring the government to end the war so that the hostages being held there can be released. But lately, as the number of casualties in Gaza mount and food entering the territory has been restricted, it is becoming less taboo to speak out about the plight of Palestinians. We go to one protest.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After being on opposite sides of Syria's war, former regime firefighters and members of the White Helmets in a Damascus firehouse are learning to trust each other and work side-by-side.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Representatives from Russia and Ukraine gather for peace talks in Istanbul. The meeting comes after the two countries each launched large-scale drone attacks on one another over the weekend, including an audacious Ukrainian strike on Russia's bomber aircraft fleet. We hear the latest from the talks and about how Ukraine's drone capabilities have evolved.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Russians remember the longtime artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, who died recently. Yuri Grigorovich held the position for the last three decades of the Soviet Union and staged productions that were wildly popular at home and projected soft power overseas. And in Nepal, people have complained of monkey's stealing food from their property for years. Now, the government is holding its first-ever monkey census to understand exactly how bad the problem is.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Germany's biggest opposition political party, the nationalist and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party, has been designated "extremist" by the country's domestic intelligence agency. That means the German government can tap party members' phones and hire informants to monitor them, in a measure meant to ensure that the party is not a threat to democracy. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both criticized this move. But it is something the German constitution allows and that constitution was shaped by the United States. Our correspondent in Germany looks into how and why this came about.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The civil war in Sudan has been ongoing for more than two years causing some fifteen million people to be displaced and the collapse of the country's healthcare system in many places. In the capital Khartoum, there were once nearly 100 public and private medical facilities, now none are operational. We go to Khartoum to see how residents are coping with the lack of medical care.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Colombians suffered through a decades-long guerilla war in which hundreds of thousands died. According to the country's truth commission, approximately 80% of those killed were civilians. Now some former army soldiers accused of atrocities during the war are trying to make amends. They are helping to locate and exhume the remains of innocent civilians executed by the Colombian military. We go to one of the sites.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Throughout the more than three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drones have been a key tool and weapon used by both sides in the conflict. Because of this, Ukraine is at the cutting edge of drone innovation, churning out some two million unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, last year. These flying drones come in all sizes and they're produced in factories large and high-tech, as well as small and shoestring. In today's episode, NPR's Eleanor Beardsley takes us inside a drone-making operation in Kyiv.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

By some estimates, some 90% of murders in Mexico go unpunished. But when a woman in Mexico kills an abusive partner, many of them do end up in jail convicted of "excessive use of legitimate force". Mexican singer-songwriter Vivir Quintana started looking into the issue and found compelling, tragic tales. We speak to Quintana about her new album which tells the stories of some of these women.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says he's "outraged" at at the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada for condemning Israel's new military offensive in Gaza. He sat down with NPR to express the U.S. view of the conflict as pressure on Israel from around the world is mounting, not just for the new offensive in Gaza but also for restricting food aid to the territory. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There's been a political backlash in India after the Trump administration deported dozens of Indian migrants who were in the U.S. without legal status. This comes after the U.S. had announced 26 percent tariffs on India, which are currently suspended. Those events have changed Indian's perceptions of what they had thought was a cozy relationship with the U.S. and have cause a headache for the Indian prime minister. We go to western India to hear what people think of the U.S. now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel has begun a new ground operation in Gaza in which it says it plans to take territory and hold it. Palestinians are fleeing the intense bombardment. At the same time, Israel and Hamas are holding peace talks. And Israel says it will start allowing food and medicine into Gaza after a nearly three month blockade to pressure Hamas to release hostages. We hear the latest in the new offensive and an interview with a resident in northern Gaza to hear what life has been like.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Determination and New Life in a Besieged Ukrainian City - a visit to a maternity ward in Slovyansk, a city that's endured over a decade of Russian assault and oppression.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Trump Administration has a new plan for delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has blocked all food, fuel and medicine for more than ten weeks, accusing Hamas of stealing aid meant for civilians. The U.S. says their plan will address those concerns, but experts worry the plan could set a bad precedent. We learn more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Syria is in a precarious place as it emerges from civil war and a long dictatorship. The recently announced removal of U.S. sanctions bring hopes that the economy might stabilize. Another challenge is Syria's population— it is one of the most diverse countries in the Middle East and with that comes competing demands and priorities from various groups. NPR's Jane Arraf takes us to southern Syria, near the border with Israel and introduces us to one of the biggest minority groups, the Druze.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump's first major overseas trip of his second term is to the same place as his first term, the Middle East. Trump is visiting the Gulf States of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. And he is scheduled to meet with Syria's new president for the first time. We'll hear about the significance of that meeting and the deals between the U.S. and Gulf countries being announced. We'll also hear about the personal relationships and family business deals Trump has with various Gulf Arab rulers.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and President Trump's efforts to change the U.S. relationship with Europe and NATO have caused some European countries to rethink their own defense. One example is Poland, which shares a 500-mile border with Russia and Russian ally Belarus. Poland is preparing to repel a Russian invasion, and this preparation includes a plan to train every adult male in the country to be ready for war. We go to Poland to see what the preparations look like.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Since Israel's military went to war against Hamas in Gaza more than a year and a half ago, it has conducted thousands of strikes in the territory. One attack last year stands out. Israel struck a five-story building housing an extend family of well over 100 people. The military says they were targeting an enemy spotter on the roof. NPR reporters and producers set out to chronicle this attack, to know how many people were killed and injured and to understand what it means to the family of survivors. Click here to see NPR's visual investigation of this attack. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdatesLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The world's 1.4 billion Catholics now have a new pope. Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago and spent two decades of service to the church in Peru will now be known as Pope Leo XIV. We go to the Vatican to hear what it was like in St. Peter's Square when the new pope blessed the faithful for the first time. And we hear from someone who knows the pope from his time in Chicago.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

India conducted airstrikes on targets across Pakistan in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It was the most extensive attack in decades and Pakistan's defense minister warned the escalation could lead to nuclear confrontation. We go to our correspondent in Mumbai to understand what is happening and what each country might do next.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This week 133 cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to select a new pope who will lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. This will be the first papal conclave in which fewer than half the voting cardinals are European. During his time, Pope Frances selected many cardinals from the global south and our correspondent in Rome tells us how this could influence who the next pope will be.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel's cabinet has approved plans for Gaza that include expanding the war, taking territory with the intent to keep troops there, and major shifts in the way food and aid are distributed. Our correspondent in Tel Aviv tells us what are in the plans and what they could mean for Gaza.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

At the heart of a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is what, if any, Ukrainian territory Russia will be allowed to keep. Moscow asserts that four Ukrainian provinces are more culturally Russian than Ukrainian. We go to one of those areas to find out what the people there think.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump has passed one hundred days in his second term as president of the United States. We look at how he is reshaping the US relationship with the rest of the world.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Every year Israeli's spend their Memorial Day commemorating Israelis killed in war and attacks. This year it comes as they are reckoning with an ongoing war that is already the longest war the country has ever waged. We go to Tel Aviv to see what this year's Memorial Day in Israel is like. Note: there is a mention of suicide in this episode.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fifty years ago this week Communist forces seized the city of Saigon bringing an end to the Vietnam war. It was a war that defined a generation with effects that reverberate today. We go to Laos were one man's search for closure takes him to the top of the tallest mountain.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Pope Francis was laid to rest in a funeral ceremony over the weekend and next week the College of Cardinals will convene their conclave at the Vatican to choose his successor. In this episode we speak to one of those cardinals, who will attend his first papal conclave. And we go inside the room where it all happens, the Sistine Chapel famous for its ceiling of frescos by Michelangelo.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

During Syria's long civil war, the White Helmets were known for running into harms way, rescuing civilians from the aftermath of regime attacks. Now with the regime gone, the famed organization is finding a new mission with new challenges. We go to Damascus to see them in action.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The sometimes cold and often frozen relationship between Russia and the U.S. has gotten a lot warmer since President Trump took office. And even though the American drive to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be faltering, the desire to do big business deals with the Kremlin has not. We go to Moscow to look at how the relationship between the two countries has changed, from the Russian perspective.CORRECTION: A previous version of the audio in this story misidentified Pete Hegseth as the secretary of state. He is the secretary of defense.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

America's neighbor to the north has seen wide ranging impacts from the tariffs on goods sent to the U.S.— from Canadian identity to the country's politics and of course the economy. Even small businesses are feeling the change. We go to the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia to see how tariffs are playing out.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Catholics around the world are in mourning following the death of Pope Francis. We go to one tiny church in Gaza, the Holy Family Church, which had a very personal relationship with the pontiff. Pope Francis made a practice of personally calling the church nearly every day since the war in Gaza began.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Pope Francis died of a stroke on Easter Monday, according to the Vatican. He was one of the most popular pontiffs in decades, taking stances on the inclusivity of the church as well as treatment of the poor and migrants. We look back on the life and the papacy of the first non-European pope in more than a millennium.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Kenya, generations of mostly Somalians have lived in one of the world's largest refugee camps for over thirty years. Many hoped to resettle in places such as the U.S., which has paused a key admissions program. And a visit to China's oldest trade fair, where traders are plotting their next move after U.S. tariffs and a darkened economic forecast.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The discovery of a clandestine cartel crematorium on a disused ranch in Jalisco has once again raised questions about the crisis of forced disappearances and the connection to organized crime.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After being hunted to near extinction, wolves have made a population comeback in recent decades with the help of conservation efforts. Now, the country with the most wolves in Europe is Italy. Our correspondent in Rome set's out for the Italian forest with an organization that takes small groups to try to see wolves in the wild.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy