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Steve Inskeep Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition and Up First.
Steve Inskeep, photographed for NPR, 13 May 2019, in Washington DC.
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Steve Inskeep

Friday

Middle East

2 Syrian Rebels Share Their Stories

U.S. and European officials meet on Saturday to decide how to increase their aid to the rebels in Syria. The U.S. is deepening its involvement in Syria's Civil War. Steve Inskeep, who recently was in Syria reporting for Morning Edition, has the story of two rebels.

2 Syrian Rebels Share Their Stories

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Tuesday

Europe

G-8 Leaders Wrap Up Summit In Nothern Ireland

The G-8 leaders reached some agreement on steps to shore up the still-weak global economy. But Russia remains an outlier in the group when it comes to addressing the bloody civil war in Syria.

G-8 Leaders Wrap Up Summit In Nothern Ireland

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Friday

Middle East

Voters Head To The Polls To Pick New President In Iran

Iranians headed to the polls on Friday to elect a new president. Many people there feel the outcome won't make much difference since the reins of power will remain with the Supreme Leader, Ayatolah Khamenei. Analysts will be closely watching voter turn-out.

Voters Head To The Polls To Pick New President In Iran

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Middle East

Voters Cast Ballots In Iran's Presidential Election

It's Iran's first presidential election since the stunning vote in 2009. Back then, a surprisingly early declaration of victory for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sparked a wave of protests, followed by years of government repression.

Voters Cast Ballots In Iran's Presidential Election

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Thursday

As Sanctions Squeeze, Iranians Keep Improvising

Female supporters of Iranian presidential candidate Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, chant slogans at a campaign rally in Tehran on Wednesday, two days ahead of the election. Vahid Salemi/AP hide caption

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Vahid Salemi/AP

Parallels

As Sanctions Squeeze, Iranians Keep Improvising

Whoever wins Iran's presidential election will face a major challenge: how to revive a struggling economy that is facing tough international sanctions. Iranians have been finding ways around the punitive measures for decades, but are they running out of options?

As Sanctions Squeeze, Iranians Keep Improvising

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Iran's Election May Not Really Be About Picking A President

Female supporters of Iranian presidential candidate Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, hold up posters and national flags at a campaign rally in Tehran, Iran, on May 24. Jalili advocates for traditional roles for women and resistance against the U.S. Vahid Salemi/AP hide caption

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Vahid Salemi/AP

Parallels

Iran's Election May Not Really Be About Picking A President

The candidates vying to become the next president of the Islamic Republic are holding rallies and making promises. But voters have limited choices Friday, and some candidates and voters speak of a redefined purpose for the election: as a social instrument, as a memory of better times.

Iran's Election May Not Really Be About Picking A President

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Wednesday

Despite Limited Election Choices, Iranians Eager To Be Heard

Supporters of Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a candidate in Iran's June 14 presidential election, attend a street campaign after Friday prayers in Tehran on June 7. Ebrahim Noroozi/AP hide caption

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Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

Middle East

Despite Limited Election Choices, Iranians Eager To Be Heard

Iran's clerical rulers have sought to carefully manage this Friday's presidential election. Only a handful of officially approved candidates were allowed on the ballot. This narrow range of candidates has left many Iranians discouraged, and they're not afraid to say so.

Despite Limited Election Choices, Iranians Eager To Be Heard

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Tuesday

Za'atar: A Spice Mix With Biblical Roots And Brain Food Reputation

Lebanese bread topped with za'atar, a spice mix ubiquitous in the Middle East. Photostock Israel/Getty Images hide caption

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Photostock Israel/Getty Images

The Salt

Za'atar: A Spice Mix With Biblical Roots And Brain Food Reputation

This alluring spice mix has an incredible aroma and deep roots in the Middle East. For centuries, people have been eating za'atar not just for its savory taste but also for its reputed health benefits. Modern research confirms it's packed with antioxidants.

Inmates In A Venezuelan Prison Build A World Of Their Own

At this prison in Barinas, Venezuela, the inmates are in charge. Steve Inskeep/NPR hide caption

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Steve Inskeep/NPR

Parallels

Inmates In A Venezuelan Prison Build A World Of Their Own

In Latin America, it's said the only part of a prison the guards control is the gate, leaving convicts to fend for themselves. The inmate boss of one prison takes NPR's Steve Inskeep on a tour.

Inmates In A Venezuelan Prison Build A World Of Their Own

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Monday

In Venezuela, A Family Blames The Police For Their Misery

Eloisa Barrios visits the humble graves of nine male family members in the Guanayen cemetery. She says all nine were killed by the police, in what was a vendetta against her family. Recently, a 10th member of the family was stabbed to death. He was 17. Meridith Kohut for NPR hide caption

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Meridith Kohut for NPR

Parallels

In Venezuela, A Family Blames The Police For Their Misery

The high crime rate throughout Latin America has many causes. In many countries, residents claim that police and security force members are part of the problem. In Venezuela, one family says the police are linked to multiple killings that have devastated the family.

In Venezuela, A Family Blames The Police For Their Misery

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Thursday

For Venezuelans, Kidnappings Are Simply Business As Usual

Kidnappings and other crime have infiltrated every aspect of daily life in Venezuela, especially the capital, Caracas, which was recently ranked the world's third most violent city. Rodrigo Abd/AP hide caption

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Rodrigo Abd/AP

Parallels

For Venezuelans, Kidnappings Are Simply Business As Usual

Latin American cities rank as the most violent in the world. The region suffers from sky-high homicide rates, drug wars and gang violence. NPR is examining the region's turmoil in a series of reports, beginning with a look at the rampant kidnapping problem in Venezuela.

For Venezuelans, Kidnappings Are Simply Business As Usual

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Monday

Inside Syria

Fight For Homs Fades From Headlines As War In Syria Rages

The civil war in Syria is expected to become the focus of peace negotiations in the coming weeks. The city of Homs became famous early in the conflict. While not as many reports are being filed from there, the fighting between rebels and government troops continues.

Fight For Homs Fades From Headlines As War In Syria Rages

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Sunday

A City Of Assad Supporters In War-Ravaged Syria

The port city of Tartous is in a region loyal to President Bashar Assad. The city has been a refuge for supporters to vacation and seek work. Steve Inskeep/NPR hide caption

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Steve Inskeep/NPR

Parallels

A City Of Assad Supporters In War-Ravaged Syria

In Syria, the port city of Tartous is fiercely loyal to President Bashar Assad. It's where many of his supporters, as well as Syrian soldiers, go for vacation. So far about 300,000 Syrians have also fled to the city looking for work and refuge from fighting in cities like Damascus and Qusair.

A City Of Assad Supporters In War-Ravaged Syria

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Friday

Watching From The Rooftops As A Fierce Syrian Battle Unfolds

A Syrian soldier walks through the hotly contested city of Qusair on May 22. The Syrian army, backed by Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, has been waging a fierce fight with rebels in the key western city for the past two weeks. STR/STR/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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STR/STR/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

Watching From The Rooftops As A Fierce Syrian Battle Unfolds

Syria's government appears to be making gains this week against rebel forces in a hard-fought battle. This comes as Lebanon's Hezbollah sends militia fighters across the border to bolster troops loyal to Syria's President Bashar Assad.

Watching From The Rooftops As A Fierce Syrian Battle Unfolds

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Wednesday

Syria's Civil War: The View From A Damascus Shrine

Zeinab Nishant Dahiya/NPR hide caption

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Nishant Dahiya/NPR

Parallels

Syria's Civil War: The View From A Damascus Shrine

Syria's war has polarized the country. But as in many conflicts, a large portion of the population just wants to keep their heads down and stay out of harm's way. A visit to the Sayida Zeinab shrine offers a look into the complicated nature of the war.

Syria's Civil War: The View From A Damascus Shrine

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