State of the World from NPR
NPR
Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories.Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2026 • 10min
A month of the Iran war through the eyes of a writer in Tehran
Ruth Sherlock, an NPR reporter who collected diary entries from a Tehran writer, narrates life under airstrikes and tight surveillance. Short readings depict bomb shelters, internet blackouts, and the fear of being watched. The piece also touches on conflicted emotions—grief, relief, and quiet acts of defiance like forbidden music and holiday rituals.
Mar 27, 2026 • 8min
How one month of war in Iran is felt in countries around the region
Daniel Estrin, NPR correspondent in Tel Aviv, recounts air-raid sirens and missile impacts on Israeli civilians. Emily Feng, reporting from near the Iran border in Turkey, shares on-the-ground reactions from Iranians coping with bombings and displacement. They discuss life under frequent strikes, cross-border tensions, and the regional ripple effects of one month of war.
Mar 26, 2026 • 10min
How is the war in Iran impacting Southeast Asia?
Carrie Kahn, an NPR foreign correspondent who tracked Iran's online propaganda, and Michael Sullivan, an NPR field reporter covering Southeast Asia's energy and economy. They discuss fuel shortages and economic strain across Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. They also explore Iran's fast-moving meme and AI-driven propaganda campaigns reshaping online perceptions of the conflict.
Mar 25, 2026 • 8min
Changes coming to the UK’s House of Lords
A look inside the pageantry and odd traditions of Britain’s upper chamber, including powder wigs and inherited seats. A visit to Powderham Castle brings aristocratic life into focus. Debate over plans to end hereditary membership, set retirement ages, and remake the chamber’s makeup drives the conversation.
11 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 9min
Israeli public opinion on Iran war; what is moving through the Strait of Hormuz?
Jackie Northam, NPR reporter on maritime developments around the Strait of Hormuz, and Carrie Kahn, NPR correspondent reporting from Tel Aviv. They discuss rising then waning Israeli support amid repeated Iranian strikes. They report which ships are still transiting the Strait of Hormuz, selective passage for some nations, and how shipping has largely collapsed.
9 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 9min
What we know about backchannel conversations between the U.S. and Iran
Emily Feng, an NPR correspondent reporting from the Turkey-Iran border, shares human stories from Nowruz gatherings. Aya Batraoui, an NPR reporter in the Gulf, outlines reported back-channel talks and regional diplomatic moves. They discuss de-escalation conversations, regional messengers, and nervous Gulf security dynamics in short, focused segments.
Mar 20, 2026 • 5min
The Ukrainian town enmeshed in netting to evade deadly Russian drones
Eleanor Beardsley, NPR correspondent reporting from Izium, Ukraine, paints a vivid scene of streets swathed in overhead netting. She explores low-tech defenses against lethal FPV drones. Short interviews with residents and a doctor show how nets tangle drone propellers and reshape daily life. The report outlines Ukraine’s plan to expand netting across the front lines.
Mar 19, 2026 • 8min
A U.S. proposal to disarm Hamas; we hear voices from Iran
Arzu Rezvani, an NPR reporter who gathered Iranians' voice memos about life under airstrikes and crackdowns. Daniel Estrin, NPR Jerusalem correspondent covering Gaza and regional diplomacy. They discuss a U.S. proposal for armed groups in Gaza to surrender weapons to enable reconstruction. They also share personal accounts of fear, repression, and polarization inside Iran during the conflict.
Mar 18, 2026 • 8min
How drones are being used globally: in conflicts and by criminals
Ada Peralta, NPR reporter in Mexico covering cartel drone smuggling and local reaction. Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR reporter on West and Central Africa detailing drone strikes and humanitarian costs in Sudan. Joanna Kakissis, NPR correspondent in Ukraine reporting on air, sea and ground drone innovations. They discuss how drones are reshaping warfare, countermeasures, civilian harm, and criminal uses.
Mar 17, 2026 • 9min
Who were the Iranian leaders killed in airstrikes?
Reports on Israeli strikes that reportedly killed two top Iranian leaders and what roles those figures played in wartime operations. Coverage of Iran-linked missile and drone activity and rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. Personal stories from over a million displaced Lebanese, crowded shelters, and struggles with sanitation, housing access, and children’s emotional trauma.
