eastern Europe

October 31, 2014

The US and Europe are celebrating the victory of pro-European parties in Ukraine's presidential election, saying it's clear sign that Ukraine wants to modernize and move away from Moscow. But just how much of Ukraine's partially-occupied east is on board?

Conflict

A Polish resistance fighter remembers fighting in the Warsaw Uprising — from the sewers

The World

October 02, 2014

Stefan Baluk was a Polish independence fighter during the Warsaw Uprising. First he faced the Nazis; then after the war, the Soviets. And it took Poland 50 years to recognize him for his service.

Conflict

This pact between Hitler and Stalin paved the way for WWII

The World

August 21, 2014

Seventy-five years ago this week, the world was turned upside down when Hitler and Stalin signed a pact of alliance. Within days Hitler invaded Poland, starting World War II. Roger Moorhouse, a historian, has a new book out on the momentous but often-forgotten "Devils' Alliance."

Music

Why music from the Balkans is booming in Mexico

The World

August 08, 2014

Ten years ago, the band Polka Madre helped launch a Balkan music scene in Mexico. Today, there are numerous Mexican bands who play Balkan music and even a Balkan music festival in Mexico's capital.

Health & Medicine

Turkey's doctors fear for their lives ... on the job

The World

July 08, 2014

Like many doctors around the world, Turkish doctors at public health facilities face often-staggering workloads. But unlike in other places, Turkish doctors now face a stunning amount of violence from disgruntled patients and their relatives.

Lifestyle & Belief

Can we choose our ethnic identities based on random obsessions?

The World

May 14, 2014

Brian Dolphin identifies so much with his Ukrainian heritage that he even asked to join an all-women's Ukrainian chorus.

Conflict & Justice

A writer retraces her childhood through Romania's secret police records on her family

The World

April 21, 2014

As writer Carmen Bugan grew up with dissident parents in communist Romania, the family's every conversation was recorded by the secret police. She has now read the thousands of pages of documents and traveled back to Romania with her family to tell their story.

Global Politics

Vladimir Putin redraws Russia's map by annexing Crimea

The World

March 18, 2014

Saying he was righting a historical mistake, Russian President Vladimir Putin moved to annex Crimea back to Russia.

Conflict & Justice

How a monastery became a symbol of Ukraine's uprising

The World

February 25, 2014

A jittery quiet returned to Ukraine's capital Kiev Tuesday, in the wake of the ouster of president Viktor Yanukovych. Ukrainian novelist Andrey Kurkov says the city's monastery played a critical role in sheltering protestors.

Arts, Culture & Media

Meet Krampus, the guy who really gets you if you're naughty

The World

December 24, 2013

Enough with the red-suited Santa. Krampus is his "cloven-hooved, chain-swinging, Eastern European sidekick."

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