State of the World from NPR

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The U.S. and Israel launch a major attack on Iran Feb 28, 2026

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In an attack the Pentagon has called “Operation Epic Fury”, the United States along with Israel launched a major strike on Iran bombing sites in Tehran and other cities. In announcing the operation on social media, President Trump said the Iranian regime’s activities endanger the United States. We’ll hear details about the strike and analysis about what this action could mean for the Iranian regime and the Iranian people.
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A crackdown on the online scam epicenter of the world Feb 27, 2026

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Cambodia and neighboring Laos have become centers for stealing money via bogus investment opportunities, romance scams and other online cons. The U.S. Treasury Department says Americans were scammed for $10 billion dollars in 2024 alone and the worldwide estimate is four times that. Many countries have had enough. We hear about the consequences being forced on the scammers.
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The war raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo Feb 26, 2026

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It is a war for control over some of the world’s richest mineral reserves and the violence is heightened by long-standing ethnic and political tensions. In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, government forces and local militia groups are fighting M23 rebels backed by neighboring Rwanda.

This is one of the wars President Trump repeatedly claims to have ended. But though a U.S.-brokered peace deal was signed, the fighting hasn’t stopped. We go behind the government front lines for a glimpse of the conflict.
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Israel’s far-right has dreams for Gaza Feb 25, 2026

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According to the Gaza peace plan President Trump negotiated between Israel and Hamas, Palestinians will not be displaced from the territory. This is a pivot from Trump’s earlier position that Palestinians should leave and move to other countries. But powerful people in Israel’s government don’t like this change. We go to Israel’s parliament, where those who say Israel should stay in Gaza are making their case.
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After four years of war in Ukraine, how does each side see the conflict? Feb 24, 2026

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It has been four years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting a war the Kremlin believed would end in a matter of days with Ukraine capitulating. Now after years of death and destruction, the war grinds on with no end in sight as U.S.-sponsored peace talks appear to be at an impasse. NPR has correspondents in both Kyiv and Moscow and we hear from them about how both countries view the conflict now.
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A wave of violence in Mexico after a drug lord is killed Feb 23, 2026

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In Mexico, chaos erupts after a major drug cartel leader is killed in a military raid. Armed men set fire to banks, businesses and vehicles in retaliation. We get the latest from Mexico.

And we meet the one of the last newspaper hawkers in Paris, who has just been given a knighthood.
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What is it like to return to Gaza? Feb 20, 2026

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According to the 20-point peace plan for Gaza brokered by President Trump, “No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return.” But while a border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has technically reopened, few people have been allowed to use it so far. We go to Gaza to meet some of the few people who have been able to return and they report a harrowing and uncertain ordeal.
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Trump inaugurates his 'Board of Peace.' Experts try to pinpoint his global doctrine Feb 19, 2026

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President Trump announced billions of dollars to rebuild Gaza at the meeting of his newly created organization in Washington, D.C. Foreign policy experts try to define Trump’s vision of international affairs.
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Palestinians see Israel's new West Bank security wall cutting off their farmland Feb 18, 2026

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Israel’s military says it’s planning a new barrier along the eastern border of the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank. Palestinian farmers and shepherds say existing walls and the construction of Jewish settlements are keeping them from reaching and working their fields.
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Ice fishing is a peaceful retreat for war-weary Ukrainians Feb 17, 2026

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Kyiv residents venture onto the city’s frozen Dnipro River for a favorite past-time of ice fishing. The activity is a much-needed respite in Ukraine as the Russian invasion enters a fifth year.
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