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
Apr 3, 2026 • 7min
Venezuelans are daring to hope again
Venezuelans describe the night aircraft and explosions signaled a sudden change and the shock that followed. People say they can now openly discuss politics and organize protests in public spaces. Relatives gather nightly outside a prison, shouting updates and holding onto hope amid uncertainty. Scholars caution that democratic transitions are fragile and the road ahead will be difficult.
Apr 2, 2026 • 6min
Paramedics pay the price of war in Lebanon
Lauren Frayer, an NPR foreign correspondent who reported from Beirut, shares frontline reporting from Lebanon. She describes funerals for medics and accounts of strikes on rescue scenes. The conversation covers Red Cross notification protocols, claims of attacks on first responders, human rights findings, and the emotional toll on dispatchers.
Apr 1, 2026 • 9min
Is the U.S. threatening to commit war crimes in Iran?
Gabor Rona, director of Cardozo’s Law and Armed Conflict Project and former Red Cross legal advisor. He explains how strikes on desalination and other civilian infrastructure raise legal alarms. He distinguishes intentional from accidental attacks. He discusses why past violations do not justify retaliation and what accountability could look like.
Mar 31, 2026 • 8min
Humanity’s future with Artificial Intelligence
Tristan Harris, an advocate for humane technology who now pushes for AI safeguards, discusses big-picture risks and governance. He explores how AI incentives aim to replace labor. He warns about AI-enabled escalation in warfare. He examines concentrated power in a few firms and the roles of governments, experts, and citizens in setting limits.
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.
