Sep 02 Second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, killed by Islamic extremists By Larisa Epatko U.S. authorities have confirmed that an online video showing Islamic State militants killing American journalist Steven Sotloff is authentic. Continue reading
Aug 29 Watch Kerry tasked with unifying Mideast allies against Islamic State By PBS News Hour Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to the Mideast to work on building a coalition of allies to oppose the Islamic State group. But the regional conflicts that cross nations and factions are likely to complicate the effort. Hari… Continue watching
Aug 28 Obama condemns Russia for Ukraine violence; rules out U.S. military involvement By Bradley Klapper, Associated Press Ukrainian officials say two Russian military columns have rolled into the southeastern part of Ukraine after missiles were fired at a border post. Continue reading
Aug 27 Watch Fearing massacre in Amirli, Iraqis ask U.S. for additional support By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Aug 27 Watch What does it take to free a captured American? By PBS News Hour A wave of American hostages held by Islamic extremists has raised questions about the U.S. policy not to pay ransoms. Jeffrey Brown talks to David Rohde of Reuters and Brian Jenkins of RAND Corporation for views on the divergence between… Continue watching
Aug 27 Watch Why do foreign fighters join the Islamic State? By PBS News Hour Douglas McAuthur McCain, an American man who was killed while fighting for the Islamic State in Syria, is not the first U.S. citizen to die as an Islamic militant in the war-torn country, and the FBI warns there are dozens… Continue watching
Aug 21 No ice bucket challenge for U.S. diplomats By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The charity stunt has lured athletes, celebrities, politicians and rock stars and gone viral on the Internet, but don't look for U.S. diplomats to get in on the fun. Continue reading
Jul 28 Report: Millions forced from their homes due to religious beliefs By Larisa Epatko Last year saw the largest displacement of religious communities from their homes in recent memory, according to a new U.S. government report assessing countries’ religious freedoms in 2013. Continue reading
Jun 27 After Bergdahl's release, what about other U.S. citizens held overseas? By Larisa Epatko When Alisa Weinstein and her family heard about the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who had been held by Taliban militants in Pakistan for five years, like many others they were relieved and thrilled for his family. Continue reading
Jun 02 Despite Israel's concerns, U.S. plans to work with new Palestinian government By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Secretary of State John Kerry called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to relay the U.S. position, which will almost certainly draw criticism from Israel and its supporters in Congress and elsewhere. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki announced the… Continue reading