Peter Kenyon

U.S.-backed Kurdish forces say they are locked in a battle with ISIS in northeast Syria. The escalation in fighting followed a two-week pause, which allowed civilians to be evacuated from the area.

Mohammad Javad Zarif abruptly announced his resignation on Monday. This news comes as the U.S. and its European allies continue to debate the future of the Iran nuclear deal.

The Turkish government has issued a stern statement denouncing China for violating the fundamental human rights of Uyghur Turks and other Muslim communities in China.

Despite a rise in religious doctrine from the government, a recent survey shows a dip in the portion of people identifying as religious, compared with a poll in 2008.

Iranian women have tried to build on the #MeToo movement in the West, but it's tough. They're trying to counter the country's official line — that Islamic traditions prevent harassment.

Iranians contacted by NPR are losing income and looking for who's at fault as U.S. sanctions start to bite.

There's a thaw in relations between Turkey and the U.S. now that President Trump has vowed to pull troops out of Syria. Turkey says it's working with the U.S. to coordinate that withdraw.

The decision to pull U.S. forces out of Syria has been criticized by NATO allies. It also leaves Syrian Kurdish fighters who are battling ISIS vulnerable to an attack from neighboring Turkey.

The Trump administration hit Iran with sanctions after pulling out of the nuclear deal. That's hurt the Iranian economy — and emboldened hard-liners.

Turkey is trying to attract scientists who have left the country. It's a tough task amid the ongoing purge politics and a feeling among scientists that they don't fit in anymore.

The Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, announced Monday that it would withdraw from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in January. Qatar has a dispute with Saudi Arabia.

Iranians have faced rising prices for months and are now preparing for the effects of U.S. sanctions. They say they're dissatisfied with the Trump administration and their own government.

The U.S. officially imposed sanctions against Iran that are meant to curb Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and contain its growing influence in the Middle East.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Saudi operatives killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a savage, premeditated action. This comes as Saudi Arabia opens an economic aimed at transforming the kingdom's economy.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said some Saudis suspected in the journalist's death would have their visas to enter the U.S. revoked. Targeted sanctions against Saudis are also being discussed.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced details of the investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and never emerged.

Turkey is continuing to investigate the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, amidst widespread skepticism about Saudi Arabia's explanation of how he was killed.

As the two countries jointly investigate the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkey continues to leak damning details implicating the Saudis.

The latest developments on the shocking case of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was last seen two weeks ago entering his country's consulate in Istanbul.

Secretary of State Pompeo meets with the Turkish foreign minister to talk about missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.