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
7 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 5min
Voices from inside Iran
Jackie Northam, an NPR foreign correspondent reporting from Iran, presents first-hand interviews and narrated accounts from inside the protests. She shares voices of young creators, a housewife, and a former publisher describing crowds, flag burnings, shootings, disappearances, and morgue extortion. The reporting captures fear, grief, and a fierce resolve to keep protesting for future freedom.
7 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 5min
China embraces A.I. in the classroom
John Riewicz, NPR correspondent in Beijing, reports on China making AI a required part of school curricula. He highlights student robotics tied to space ambitions. He explores AI as a creative tool in classrooms. He outlines Beijing’s grade-by-grade AI learning goals and the national competitiveness rationale. He covers parents weighing risks, screen time, and future job readiness.
Jan 29, 2026 • 10min
Can Mideast peace be treated like a business deal?
Emily Feng, an NPR reporter on the West Bank, highlights how frozen permits, withheld taxes, and checkpoints have crippled local economies. Michelle Kellerman, reporting from Tel Aviv, explores how Israeli entrepreneurs and the tech sector pitch startups and innovation as paths to regional opportunities. The conversation contrasts business-driven peace efforts with the deep economic and humanitarian damage on the ground.
5 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 8min
What to know about President Trump’s Board of Peace
Daniel Estrin, NPR Middle East correspondent who reported on Gaza reconstruction, and Greg Myrie, NPR international correspondent covering U.S. military moves, discuss Trump’s new Board of Peace. They unpack its membership and billion-dollar pitch. They explore links between the board and Gaza rebuilding. They note U.S. military positioning in the region and tensions around oversight and legitimacy.
Jan 27, 2026 • 6min
What have U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats accomplished?
John Otis, NPR correspondent reporting from Colombia's Caribbean coast, shares on-the-ground reporting about how U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats reshape coastal life. He describes fishermen fleeing deep-water work. He covers human rights concerns, allies withholding intelligence, Colombia's capture-first navy approach, and how bombings have not stopped drug flows.
Jan 26, 2026 • 9min
A thorny ethical question: should sperm samples taken from fallen soldiers be used?
In Israel, families whose sons have died in the war in Gaza have the option of having sperm samples retrieved for future offspring. Many have agreed to the procedure. That has raised complicated questions of what can and should be done with this genetic material. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
5 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 5min
Oil, dollars and daily survival: the strange state of Venezuela’s economy
Dollars from seized oil are flowing back into Venezuela and changing how prices are set. Economists worry about foreign control of the country’s finances and whether the fix is sustainable. Shoppers in Caracas are calculating costs in dollars while pensions collapse and extreme poverty deepens. Families use small-scale tactics to stretch meager resources amid dizzying price swings.
Jan 22, 2026 • 6min
The promise and frustration of a future economic powerhouse on Africa’s west coast
Emmanuel Akinwotu, an NPR reporter known for his on-the-ground international coverage, dives deep into the challenges and potential of West Africa's coastal corridor. He explores the notorious Lagos-Badagri road, highlighting the chaotic Mile 2 bus station and the economic struggles faced by traders like Mama Nana. Akinwotu discusses the slow progress of the planned superhighway, the pervasive extortion drivers encounter, and the stark contrast in road conditions upon crossing into Benin. He emphasizes the corridor's untapped potential as an economic powerhouse if infrastructure and governance improve.
Jan 21, 2026 • 8min
India’s black market for human eggs
Dia Hadid, an investigative reporter specializing in international stories, dives into India's underground market for human eggs. She meets a woman in Mumbai who has sold her eggs multiple times to survive, revealing the harsh realities behind egg donation. Hadid unpacks the risks women face due to restrictive laws and the role of intermediaries in this perilous trade. Shocking accounts of abuse and exploitation highlight the need for legal protections for donors, raising deep ethical questions about the commodification of human life.
Jan 20, 2026 • 16min
How have global relationships with the U.S. changed in the last year?
In this discussion, Charles Maynes, an NPR correspondent based in Moscow, sheds light on Russia's disillusionment with U.S. foreign policy under Trump, revealing initial hopes for cooperation that fell flat. Meanwhile, Jennifer Pack, the China correspondent, expertly explains how China is framing U.S. actions as a validation of its critiques, highlighting the inseparability of trade and security in contemporary geopolitics. The duo also explores the shifting dynamics of the Russia-China partnership amid growing global tensions.
