NPR World News

Civilian Casualties Factor Into War Decisions

The fighting in Gaza has killed more than 600 Palestinians — many of them civilians. Col. Jim Hellis is chairman of the U.S. Army War College's department of national security and strategy. He talks with Ari Shapiro about how the U.S. military factors in civilian casualties when assessing war strategy. Hellis says it's a balance among legal, ethical and political concerns. (read more)

U.S. Wants Sustainable Cease-Fire In Gaza

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held off calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, preferring what she calls a more durable solution to make sure Hamas can't continue to fire rockets into Israel. But others say waiting too long to get a truce won't help. (read more)

Israel Debates Moving Deeper Into Gaza City

Israel is under growing pressure to end its military operations in Gaza, following the terrible bloodshed that occurred in the territory over the past 24 hours. However, Israeli leaders are discussing whether to expand military operations in Gaza. That would be a significant escalation of the assault and would inevitably bring even greater casualties among the civilian population. (read more)

Israeli Novelist's View Of Gaza Conflict

The many Israelis who have been watching the conflict in Gaza include Amos Oz. The Israeli novelist is known as a dove. He co-founded a group called "Peace Now" in 1978. Yet, he tells Steve Inskeep that he initially supported Israel's air strikes on Gaza. (read more)

Serbia Plays Key Role In Russian Gas Pipeline Plans

Belgrade is part of a fierce struggle between Russia and the West over the future of energy supplies to Europe. Russia has taken control of Serbia's state oil and gas industry, while the Serbian capital hopes to be a hub for a major Russian gas pipeline. (read more)

Rights Case Could Alter Handling Of Terror Suspects

The Supreme Court ruled in June that detainees at Guantanamo Bay had the constitutional right to challenge their detentions in U.S. courts. On Wednesday, a federal judge will begin exploring whether detainees at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan have that same right. (read more)

Taliban Attack Highlights Weakness In Afghanistan

A few weeks ago at a truck terminal in Peshawar, Pakistan, the Taliban torched dozens of trucks destined for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The terminal is a monument to the vulnerability of the U.S.-NATO supply route. (read more)

Gaza Civilian Toll Rises; Israel Blames Hamas

As Israeli forces press their offensive in the Gaza Strip, the death toll among Palestinian civilians is increasing. Israel blames Hamas for the casualties, saying the Islamist militants are operating amid the civilian population. (read more)

For Israeli Blogger, Conflict Spurs Mixed Emotions

For the past year, two men — one Israeli, one Palestinian — have been blogging about their lives on opposite sides of the Israeli-Gaza border. Online, they call themselves Hope Man and Peace Man. (read more)

In Juarez, Gangs Come In Many Forms

We talk with residents of about the murders that plague their Mexican city. The military has stepped up its presence to try to turn the tide of drug gang violence. But the public is not impressed, and many wish the soldiers would leave. (read more)

Q&A: The Gaza Conflict

Israel and the Palestinians have been shooting at each other in and around the Gaza Strip almost daily for more than eight years. On Dec. 27, Israel launched its largest and deadliest offensive in all those years of fighting. Here are some of the issues surrounding the current battle. (read more)

Gaza Conflict Plays Out Online Through Social Media

Palestinians and Israelis are telling their stories with text messages and social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook. Now the mainstream media and the Israeli government are getting into the act. (read more)

New Talks Slated Over Ukraine Gas Dispute

Ukraine and Russia will hold new talks this week aimed at resolving a bitter dispute over Moscow's cutoff of natural gas to the independent nation, a disruption that has affected much of Europe. (read more)

U.N.-Run School In Gaza Hit By Israeli Fire; 40 Dead

Israeli mortar fire hit near a United Nations school in Gaza, killing dozens of Palestinian civilians who had apparently taken shelter there, officials said. The incident occurred as Israeli ground forces pushed slowly into heavily populated urban areas of the Gaza Strip. (read more)

Critics Say France's Sarkozy Not Helping Gaza

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is on a cease-fire mission to the Middle East. While his country no longer holds the European Union presidency, Sarkozy says it is France's duty to look for all paths to peace. Critics say Sarkozy is on a power trip after his six-month stint as diplomatic head of Europe. They accuse him of muddying EU efforts to broker a cease-fire. (read more)