State of the World from NPR

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How one month of war in Iran is felt in countries around the region Mar 27, 2026

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It’s been a month since the U.S. and Israel began the war on Iran. President Trump pointed to what he said has been progress in talks when he extended his deadline for Iran to open up the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping channel. He has threated to destroy Iran’s energy facilities if ships aren’t allowed to pass.
Meanwhile attacks continue in Iran, Israel, Gulf States and Lebanon. Israel’s Defense Minister vowed to intensify strikes against Iran… while Iran’s Ambassador to the UN accused the U.S. and Israel of deliberately targeting civilians.
In today’s episode, we look at a month of this war, by hearing from the people experiencing it. We meet weary Iranians, fearful Israelis, shaken residents of what was a safe haven in the Gulf, and Lebanese citizens enduring massive displacement.
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How is the war in Iran impacting Southeast Asia? Mar 26, 2026

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Southeast Asia is among the areas hardest hit by Iran’s cutoff of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, with many nations there almost entirely dependent on foreign energy — and quickly running out. We hear how the effects are being felt.
And Iran has been not only launching missiles around the region but also firing off memes around the internet. We hear that although war propaganda has a long history, it now travels faster and to a wider audience than ever before.
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Changes coming to the UK’s House of Lords Mar 25, 2026

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Britain’s upper house of parliament is known as the House of Lords and it’s has a lot of old traditions: powdered wigs, a gold throne, lawmakers addressing each other as “noble lord” or “baroness”. But one tradition has recently received scrutiny— dozens of the legislators inherit their seats. We go to London to learn about the practice that has been in place for nearly a thousand years.
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Israeli public opinion on Iran war; what is moving through the Strait of Hormuz? Mar 24, 2026

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After weeks of war with Iran, Israeli support for the conflict is high but waning. Israel has endured frequent airstrikes from Iran disrupting lives and killing at least fifteen so far. We hear from some Israelis about how they’re feeling.
And while more than one thousand ships are idle, unable to go through the Strait of Hormuz due to Iranian attacks on vessels, a few are getting through the economically vital waterway. We hear about which ships are getting through and why.
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What we know about backchannel conversations between the U.S. and Iran Mar 23, 2026

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After days of brinkmanship, President Trump announces a sudden delay in threatened strikes on Iran’s power grid, citing “very good and productive” talks aimed at de-escalating the war. Our reporter tells us what we know about those talks.
And at one underground disco along Turkey's border with Iran, Iranians ponder death and the destruction of their country while celebrating the traditional new year holiday of Nowruz.
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The Ukrainian town enmeshed in netting to evade deadly Russian drones Mar 20, 2026

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Entering the Ukrainian town of Izium brings the odd sight of roads and sidewalks completely covered in wide stretches of overhead netting. It’s a low-tech defense against the latest deadly Russian drones known as, FPV, or first-person view drones. FPV’s can fly up to 15 miles and are piloted by unjammable fiber optic cables. Cities in eastern Ukraine are preparing for an advancing front line as Russia’s full-scale war enters its fifth year.
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A U.S. proposal to disarm Hamas; we hear voices from Iran Mar 19, 2026

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NPR has learned that mediators have quietly given Hamas a proposal to hand over all its weapons to ensure Gaza’s reconstruction.
And Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout as the war with the U.S. and Israel rages on. Some Iranians are sending voice memos to share a glimpse of what life is like inside the country.
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How drones are being used globally: in conflicts and by criminals Mar 18, 2026

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Unmanned drones are cheaper than missiles, easy to mass-produce, can travel long distances, and strike with precision. For all these reasons they are reshaping conflicts around the globe. We hear from NPR correspondents about how drones are changing the nature of war and the balance of power in Ukraine, Sudan and Mexico.
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Who were the Iranian leaders killed in airstrikes? Mar 17, 2026

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Israel says it has killed two top Iranian leaders in airstrikes, dealing another blow to Iran’s remaining leadership. One of the men was believed to be directing the current war effort, and these deaths come after Israel killed Iran’s supreme leader on the first day of the war. We hear more about who was killed and what this might mean for Iran.
And over a million Lebanese have been displaced since Israel intensified its campaign against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. We meet some of the displaced.
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The Global Impact of High Oil Prices Mar 16, 2026

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Ever since the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran, oil prices have been on a rollercoaster but overall have been trending higher. An increase in the price of oil has world-wide consequences with winners and losers. To get a snapshot of where things stand, we hear from three reporters around the world— in Russia, Germany and Taiwan.
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