State of the World from NPR

The U.N. estimates over a 100,00 people have gone missing in Syria under the regime of Bashar al-Assad. And many families never knew the fate of their loved ones. Now that the regime has fallen, the search is on for the missing. We join some Syrians on that search. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Russia continues to pound Ukraine with missile strikes, often targeting infrastructure like power plants. That has caused Ukrainians to endure power cuts even during the harsh winter. Our correspondent visits a power plant to see what it takes to keep the lights on in war.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the aftermath of the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, how are the insurgents planning to resurrect the state?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

For the first time in a generation, Syrians are no longer living under the regime of a brutal dictator. Our reporter travelled from Lebanon to Syria's capital, Damascus, talking to Syrians along the way and tells us how people are adjusting to their new reality. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad crumbled in rapid fashion as rebel groups challenged his power. Assad is now in exile in Russia and the rebels have taken control of the capital, Damascus. Now displaced Syrians, some of whom have been out of the country for over a decade, are returning home. Our correspondent in Lebanon spoke to some returning Syrians.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Rebels in Syria are making rapid advances against the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad. Assad has managed to stay in power throughout the civil war that has engulfed his country for more than a decade. But he again finds himself in a precarious position. We weigh the chances of his political survival. And in Lebanon, residents are watching as Syrian rebels get closer and closer to their border. There is concern that the fighting will spill over, threatening a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and perhaps becoming a regional war.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Chile is poised to create it's 47th national park in the coming year, protecting wilderness at the southern tip of South America. That's thanks in large part to the work of a U.S. conservationist and her organization. We go to the bottom of the world to see the stunning landscape that will make up the park.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Joe Biden's first and last trip to Africa as president wrapped up in a port city in Angola. It's the end of an 800 mile train line connecting the port to massive mineral deposits in Central Africa. The U.S. and other Western countries are raising billions to upgrade the rail line, a move that is seen as an effort to counter China's investments in mining in the region. We go to one of the mining cities along that train route to see how the geopolitics are playing out. Support NPR and get sponsor-free episodes of State of the World. Sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In a shocking turn of events, martial law was declared late at night by the president of South Korea, giving him extraordinary powers. Then after protests and an act of parliament, the order was reversed seven hours later. To try to understand what is happening with this key U.S. ally and trading partner, we hear from NPR's correspondent in Seoul.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Syria's bloody civil war against the government of Bashar al-Assad started in 2011 but it had been in a stalemate for years. All that changed recently when rebels lead by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rapidly routed government forces seizing the second most populous Syria city, Aleppo. We hear reaction from Syrians and about the group behind the revival of the conflict. Support NPR and get sponsor-free episodes of State of the World. Sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.orgOr donate to NPR this Giving Tuesday at donate.npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In an episode we first brought you in March, we consider butter chicken. It is a much-loved Indian dish, both within that country and around the world. But who can claim they invented it? That question is the subject of a lawsuit. Our reporter tries to get to the bottom of butter chicken's origin and finds out that it is a journey through India's history.You can find celebrated Indian chef Madhur Jaffrey's recipe for butter chicken here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In an episode we first posted in January, we go to the West African country of Ghana. The Ghanaian government began encouraging people of African descent from around the world to move to the country in 2019, calling it the "Year of Return". They even created settlements for the people who took them up on the offer, giving out free land. But our correspondent talks to locals who say their farm land was stolen to give to foreigners.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In an episode we first brought you in April, we go to southeast Asia and the Spratly Islands. Ownership of those island are in dispute. This has been the case for hundreds of years, but tensions have been raised recently as China has tried to expand its claims in the remote area. We get a rare glimpse of one of the islands that has a Filipino community living on it.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon that hopes to bring an end to 13 months of fighting which has uprooted masses of civilians on both sides, and left immense destruction. We hear from NPR reporters on both sides of the conflict. Support NPR and get sponsor-free episodes of State of the World. Sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.org Or donate to NPR this Giving Tuesday at donate.npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel has mandatory military services for citizens over the age of eighteen that meet certain requirements, and refusing to serve, which has always been controversial is even more contentious now that the country is fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. We meet one young person choosing to go to jail rather than serve in the military. Support NPR and get sponsor-free episodes of State of the World. Sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.org Or donate to NPR this Giving Tuesday at donate.npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy