Accessibility links
World News and International Headlines NPR world news, international art and culture, world business and financial markets, world economy, and global trends in health, science and technology. Subscribe to the World Story of the Day podcast and RSS feed.

NPRWorld

Many Stories, One World

Saturday

Read And Listen: President Obama Turns To Congress On Syria

President Obama speaks about Syria from the Rose Garden at the White House on Saturday. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

The U.S. Response To Syria

Read And Listen: President Obama Turns To Congress On Syria

At the White House Saturday, Obama spoke about the possibility of a U.S. strike against Syria in response to the regime's alleged use of chemical weapons. While he said the U.S. should take military action, Obama said he would seek congressional authorization first.

President Obama's Full Speech

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217610904/217615663" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

The Impact of War

Chemical Weapons And Civilians: The Invisible Threat

A quarter century ago, Joost Hiltermann of the International Crisis Group investigated chemical attacks against civilians in Iraq, and says recent images from Syria bring back the "horrible events" of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Chemical Weapons And Civilians: The Invisible Threat

Listen · 6:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217641030/217641019" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Obama Asks Congress To Approve Action On Syria

President Obama said Saturday he believes the United States should take military action against Syria, in response to last week's deadly chemical weapons attack. But in an about-face, Obama has decided to first seek a vote in Congress authorizing a military strike. It's a gamble. While approval from Congress would strengthen the president's hand, he could also suffer a stinging rebuke from lawmakers, much as British Prime Minister David Cameron did.

Obama Asks Congress To Approve Action On Syria

Listen · 4:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217641024/217641013" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

On Syria, How Might Congress Vote?

Lawmakers from both parties in the House and Senate are praising President Obama for seeking their authorization for any military action in Syria. Still, Congress isn't even scheduled to return to Washington until Sept. 9. And how might they vote? It's "kind of a gamble" says NPR congressional reporter Ailsa Chang.

On Syria, How Might Congress Vote?

Listen · 3:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217641026/217641015" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Republican Who Asked For Congressional Say Gets His Wish

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., had sent a letter to President Obama urging him to seek congressional approval before any military action against Syria. Surprisingly, on Saturday, Obama agreed. Cole talks about what comes next.

Republican Who Asked For Congressional Say Gets His Wish

Listen · 4:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217641028/217641017" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

While Britain Votes No, France Still Backs Strikes On Syria

Only 10 years ago, the French were derided in Washington political circles for their rejection of plans to invade Iraq. Now the so-called "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" are standing by the U.S. on Syria — while the country's closest European ally, Britain, has rejected military action.

While Britain Votes No, France Still Backs Strikes On Syria

Listen · 4:07
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217641032/217641021" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Teen Gets Three Years In Gang Rape, Murder Of Indian Woman

A protester in India chants slogans as she braces herself against the spray fired from police water canons during a protest in December sparked by the gang rape of a 23-year-old paramedical student. Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Teen Gets Three Years In Gang Rape, Murder Of Indian Woman

The man, who was 17 when the crime took place, is one of six accused in a case that has shocked the nation and sparked international outrage.

Middle East

If 'Humanitarian,' Why Not Intervene In Syria Sooner?

Will a limited military strike prevent Syrian President Bashar Assad from launching future chemical attacks? Host Scott Simon speaks with former leader of Canada's Liberal Party Michael Ignatieff about so-called "humanitarian intervention" in Syria.

If 'Humanitarian,' Why Not Intervene In Syria Sooner?

Listen · 5:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217511144/217513612" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Middle East

How The Region Might React To An Attack On Syria

What would Iraq and Israel do if the U.S. launches military action against the Syrian government? Former analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency Joshua Foust speaks with host Scott Simon about the wider consequences for the Middle East.

How The Region Might React To An Attack On Syria

Listen · 4:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217511138/217511083" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Middle East

Pentagon Plans Syria Strike Options

Ten years ago, the CIA made the wrong call about Iraq's weapons program. How careful are U.S. intelligence agencies being this time, investigating charges that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its people? Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Larry Abramson, who has been traveling with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Pentagon Plans Syria Strike Options

Listen · 4:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217511122/217511061" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Marines Have Turned Helmand Fight Over To Afghans

The Taliban conducted a series of deadly attacks across Afghanistan this week, killing civilians, Afghan forces and several NATO service members. But they are targeting far fewer NATO troops these days, because those troops are focused on training and advising the Afghan army. NPR's Sean Carberry spent five days with U.S. Marines in one of Afghanistan's chronic hot spots and speaks with host Scott Simon.

Marines Have Turned Helmand Fight Over To Afghans

Listen · 3:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/217511140/217511085" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript