State of the World from NPR

The war in Gaza is creating tensions across the Middle East. Nowhere more so than Iraq, where Iran-backed militias are attacking US bases and forcing a dangerous confrontation. We hear about it from our correspondent in Baghdad. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Some Palestinians in Gaza express rising anger at Hamas, four months after the militant group attacked Israel, prompting a punishing bombardment. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

If all goes as planned, the work by the late composer John Cage will take over 600 years to perform. A specially rigged organ in Germany has been performing the piece since 2001, and it recently struck a new chord in the first time in two years. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR...

We hear from three Palestinians about their hopes and fears of a rebuilt Gaza after the fighting ends. We get perspectives from an architect, a humanitarian and a musician. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preference...

We hear about a kindergarten in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which has finally resumed, holding classes underground in a metro station to keep students safe from Russian attacks. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Among the vast destruction of buildings in Gaza, some historically valuable and irreplaceable sites are now in ruins. Our correspondent visited some of of these places before the war and brings us to them, then and now. To see photos of some of the places referenced in this story and for more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

For Gazans in crisis, a West Bank emergency call center is one of the few remaining sources of help. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Tensions and talk of war are escalating between North and South Korea. Our correspondent in Seoul explains why the temperature has increased and he takes us to an island near the maritime border between North and South Korea that has seen clashes in the past. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship pre...

The small Gulf nation of Qatar recently announced a framework for a deal between Israel and Hamas to pause the fighting in Gaza. We sit down with the Prime Minister of Qatar to hear how soon a deal could be reached and what impact the recent killing of U.S. servicemembers has had on the negotiations. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates See pcm.adswizz.com...

Russia launches hundreds of missiles at Ukraine every month. We hear the story of one such attack, that destroyed a well-known hotel and changed the life of one young woman. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage...

A source of anguish for both Israeli and Palestinian families in nearly four months of the Gaza war, is the large number of hostages and prisoners taken by each side. Thousands of family members in the dark about the fate of their loved ones. So they're trying to reach them through Israeli and Palestinian radio. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates See pcm....

After the rise of K-pop and K-drama, Korean haute cuisine is also going global. We hear that it's the result of an evolution of the food, creative chefs and a touch of crafty support from the government. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

There is a small but growing anti-war movement in Israel and it includes mothers of those serving in the Israeli military. We hear why they're protesting. And an American chemist's book about tea provokes a strong reaction in Britain. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Pol...

We hear of the saga of the mango pineapple, an exclusive new pineapple cultivar from Taiwan that was allegedly stolen by China. It shows the economic ties between two places that are also adversaries and the incident is prompting questions about how far Beijing will go to coerce Taiwan — and who really owns the food we eat. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of person...

We look at the economic impacts caused by the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. In Israel, the call-up of military reserves has led to a severe labor shortage. In the West Bank, curtailed economic activity with Israel has taken a toll. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal dat...

We talk to a Russia expert who is keeping tabs on what is going on in the roughly 18% of Ukraine that Russia now controls. He says that an "administrative occupation" seeks to incorporate the people that live in those areas into Russian politics and culture. And that with U.S. and Western aid for Ukraine in doubt, there is a chance these areas could be lost for good. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform...

In Northern India, Prime Minister Modi consecrates a temple to the Hindu god Ram. The event is meant to draw support ahead of spring elections, but it also highlights the growing rift between Hindu nationalists and Muslim communities. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Pol...

Grain export is a vital part of the Ukrainian economy and Russian attacks and threats on ports have come close to shutting it down. We go to one Ukrainian port, barely used before the war, which has now become crucial. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

It has been over one hundred days since the war between Israel and Hamas began with an attack on Israel October 7th, killing over 1,200 with more than two hundred Israelis taken hostage. Israel responded with a ground, air and sea offensive on Gaza that has killed thousands and displaced many more. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas. We investigate whether, after a hundred days, Israel is any clo...

Taiwan held a close and closely watched election for president that has implications for the self-ruled island's relationship with China, which claims Taiwan as it's own. And Guatemala swore in a new president, the anti-corruption campaigner Bernardo Arevalo. But opponents tried to prevent the transfer of power up to the last minute. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and suppo...

In Pakistan, a dolphin species that's lived in the Indus River for millions of years was facing near-extinction. Now, thanks to the help of nearby fisher-people, the dolphin is making a fragile recovery. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

The series of strikes in Yemen were against the Houthis, an Iran-backed military group, that had been attacking military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, in what they said was retaliation for Israel's war in Gaza. We hear from our national security correspondent and a international trade expert on the strikes and their economic implications. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...

Taiwan elects a president this weekend and while the government in China believes Taiwan should be under its control, we hear that people in China hold a variety of views about the island next door. And the story of a Palestinian artist in Gaza who continues to make art amid destruction and displacement. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists...

Poland has been one of Ukraine's strongest allies in its fight against Russia. But the two countries are now in a border dispute over trucking. Polish truckers are blocking thousands of Ukrainian trucks waiting to return home. We go to the border and talk to truckers on both sides of the dispute. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and...

Taiwan has an important election coming up and we hear that relations with China is one of the main things on the minds of many voters. And though China is much bigger and more powerful than Taiwan, the island does wield influence in China when it comes to pop culture. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast spons...