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
Feb 16, 2026 • 9min
Street markets light up for Ramadan in Cairo and the Lunar New Year in Beijing
Aya Batraoui, NPR field reporter and Cairo correspondent, walks through Old Cairo’s bustling markets as shoppers prep lanterns and festive decor for Ramadan. She contrasts ancient mosque settings with mass-produced trinkets and shares scenes of personal shopping traditions. The episode also visits Beijing’s Lunar New Year markets where people seek stability amid economic worries and job concerns.
Feb 13, 2026 • 4min
Storied newspaper makes deep cuts, and closes many international bureaus
Daniel Estrin, an NPR correspondent, reports on deep Washington Post cuts and the shuttering of many foreign bureaus. He covers the scale of layoffs, the loss of veteran Middle East and Russia reporters, and the consequences for independent reporting in authoritarian regions. The piece highlights the financial drivers and the risks faced by on-the-ground journalists.
Feb 13, 2026 • 8min
NATO coordinates an Arctic defense plan
NATO unveils a new Arctic command to counter Russian and Chinese moves and close surveillance gaps. Discussion covers drones, undersea risks, and how a Greenland dispute sped the plan. In Japan, emotional scenes as the country says farewell to its last giant pandas and reflects on their diplomatic history.
Feb 11, 2026 • 7min
Syria’s New Government Returns Property to Syrian Jews Who Left Decades Ago
A return of long-lost synagogue keys in Aleppo sparks a look at reclaimed property and cultural recovery. A Syrian-American returns from Brooklyn to oversee restorations and tour a 1,400-year-old synagogue. Neighbors express cautious welcome while politics and safety concerns linger. Rebuilding decay and hopes for revival are explored in short, vivid scenes.
8 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 8min
U.S. oil blockade roils life in Cuba. Venezuelans test new freedoms
Manuel Rueda, NPR reporter in Caracas covering Venezuela's political shifts. Ada Paltz, NPR reporter in Mexico City reporting on tightened U.S. restrictions and Cuba’s fuel crisis. They discuss halted oil shipments to Cuba and resulting disruptions to travel, food and services. They also cover Venezuelans openly protesting, moves toward amnesty and the fragile limits of reform.
Feb 9, 2026 • 5min
The special phrase helping Cubans to get by
A look at how a single coded phrase helps Cubans talk about shortages, corruption and daily hardship without speaking openly. Stories show how ambiguous language, songs and everyday encounters carry political meaning. Personal accounts reveal low wages, long hours and generational tensions about hope and survival.
Feb 6, 2026 • 7min
What is the environmental impact of the Winter Olympics?
Ruth Sherlock, an NPR foreign correspondent who reports from the field, walks Cortina d'Ampezzo and probes the Winter Olympics' local footprint. She describes bare Dolomite peaks and heavy reliance on artificial snow. She details massive water extraction, widespread construction and ancient trees felled for venues. She highlights concerns over missing environmental studies and lasting harm to mountain communities.
8 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 10min
Russia’s Hybrid War on Europe
Joanna Kakissis, NPR reporter who covered Kyiv’s winter blackouts and resilience, and Rob Schmitz, NPR international correspondent who investigated a Polish rail sabotage, discuss Russia’s stepped-up hybrid attacks. They describe infrastructure probes, drone disruptions, covert sabotage tactics, and how communities cope and push back in cold, risky conditions.
4 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 6min
Will the U.S. withdraw military forces from Syria?
Jane Arraf, Middle East correspondent in Jordan covering regional dynamics and local perspectives. Tom Bowman, Pentagon correspondent tracking U.S. military operations and policy. They discuss ISIS remnants and security risks. They cover U.S. ties with Kurdish forces and the politics around troop withdrawal. They examine guarding Syrian oil fields and how a pullout could reshape regional influence.
10 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 5min
Fallout in the U.K. over the Epstein files
Lauren Freyer, London-based NPR reporter covering U.K. politics on the ground. She walks through revelations from the Epstein files, including forwarded government emails, alleged payments and photos, and a high-profile retirement from the House of Lords. The reporting captures public outrage and questions raised about political appointments.
