State of the World from NPR cover art
Podcast · 325 episodes

State of the World from NPR, page 5

by NPR · English

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. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for State of the World.

All episodes, page 5

Shifting momentum in the Russia-Ukraine war“State of the World” episode on possible turning points in the Russia-Ukraine war, plus how election-season U.S. politics may shape negotiations.18 May 2026 · 7 min · 5 chapters
What U.S. troops mean to one German townThe impact on a small Bavarian town (Vilsack) if the U.S. withdraws about 5,000 troops from Germany, and what those troops mean to local life and jobs.15 May 2026 · 5 min · 6 chapters
Convicted U.S. spy runs for office in Israel; an anti-smoking fight in ChinaTwo international stories. First, State of the World profiles Jonathan Pollard, a convicted U.S. spy now living in Israel, campaigning for parliament.14 May 2026 · 8 min · 3 chapters
The lasting effects of Trump’s tariff war with ChinaThe lasting effects of President Trump’s tariff war with China on supply chains and manufacturers, including uncertainty after escalation, partial truce, and a U.S.13 May 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
Trump’s tactics in Iran and the longest intentional internet blackout everThe episode covers two international stories: President Trump’s shifting, mixed messaging toward Iran during the war (including “love tap” framing of exchanges, alternating between guiding ships…12 May 2026 · 8 min · 6 chapters
China’s expanding nuclear ambitions and Trump’s visitThe episode links China’s expanding nuclear arsenal to the broader U.S.-China relationship and President Trump’s upcoming Beijing visit amid the Iran war.11 May 2026 · 11 min · 7 chapters
Why it’s a muted celebration in Moscow“Why it’s a muted celebration in Moscow” for Russia’s May 9 Victory Day, with the parade scaled back due to Ukrainian drone threats and reflecting growing Russian frustration with the long Ukraine…8 May 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
The bus with beats and blingNairobi’s matatus (privately owned minibuses) as “Nganya” culture—bling, loud music, and youth identity—using an Onyx bus ride from the Central Business District to Dandora.7 May 2026 · 5 min · 1 chapter
A fraying ceasefire in southern Lebanon with villages destroyedThe episode reports on a fraying ceasefire in southern Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, with villages destroyed despite the truce.6 May 2026 · 7 min · 2 chapters
U.S. diplomats depart; the new Grand Egyptian MuseumThe episode covers two stories: (1) U.S. diplomatic departures and a surge in Foreign Service retirements under the second Trump administration, with concerns that the State Department is “disarming”…5 May 2026 · 9 min · 2 chapters
The standoff in the Strait of HormuzThe U.S. military’s “Project Freedom” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for global shipping and break Iran’s blockade, amid renewed attacks that threaten a shaky ceasefire.4 May 2026 · 7 min · 6 chapters
Economic effects of the war in Iran ripple around the globeThe economic effects of the Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict and near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, focusing on fuel, energy, food, inflation, and political fallout worldwide.1 May 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
The search for loved ones in GazaState of the World reports on Gaza families’ efforts to recover bodies buried under rubble after more than two years of Israel-Hamas war, focusing on an NPR investigation of a late-2024 Israeli…30 Apr 2026 · 11 min · 4 chapters
An interview with a powerful Hindu nationalistInterview with RSS general secretary Dr. Mohan Bhagwat? (transcript names Dr. T.29 Apr 2026 · 10 min · 6 chapters
How is Cuba feeling about the United States?Tense U.S.-Cuba relations amid negotiations in Havana, U.S. threats of military action, and the impact of sanctions and a “de facto oil blockade” on Cuban life.28 Apr 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
40 years after families survived the Chernobyl accident, they face warForty years after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, Ukrainian families who survived radiation and the Soviet aftermath are now enduring Russia’s war.27 Apr 2026 · 7 min · 4 chapters
An unlikely Indian movie makes it all the way to the OscarsNPR’s State of the World reports on Homebound, an unlikely Indian film about two marginalized friends that reached the Oscars amid India’s rise of Hindu nationalism.24 Apr 2026 · 6 min · 2 chapters
Ukraine becomes an international arms dealerUkraine’s shift from receiving arms to exporting drone defense technology amid the Iran–Russia war, especially countering Iranian Shahed drones.23 Apr 2026 · 6 min · 6 chapters
President Trump extends the ceasefire with Iran, what happens now?NPR’s State of the World discusses President Trump extending a U.S.-Iran ceasefire before it expired, amid Iran’s claim that the ceasefire is meaningless unless the U.S.22 Apr 2026 · 6 min · 4 chapters
How Gaza feels after six months of ceasefireThe episode examines what Palestinians in Gaza experience after a six-month ceasefire, framed against Israel’s Independence Day.21 Apr 2026 · 9 min · 2 chapters
What are the chances for peace between Israel and Lebanon?Chances for peace between Israel and Lebanon amid a temporary Israel–Lebanon ceasefire and direct negotiations, linked to the wider U.S.–Iran pressure campaign.20 Apr 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
An Israeli and Palestinian who bonded during war share vision for peace in a new bookTwo authors, Palestinian Aziz Abusara and Israeli Mao Zinon, describe how shared trauma from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict led to brotherhood and a peace-focused vision in their new book, “That’s…17 Apr 2026 · 5 min · 5 chapters
They were promised paradise — in North KoreaThe “North Korean Repatriation Project” (starting 1959), when Zainichi Koreans in Japan were enticed to move to North Korea by propaganda promising jobs and basic needs, but many were trapped in…17 Apr 2026 · 8 min · 8 chapters
Sudan’s war enters a fourth yearSudan’s war has entered its fourth year, with ongoing fighting between the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), massive displacement, hunger/famine risk, and alleged atrocities.15 Apr 2026 · 5 min · 4 chapters