Mideast

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) celebrate the defeat of ISIS in Raqqa, Syria.

A Raqqa resident asks why militia had to destroy his city to liberate it

Some former Raqqa residents worry about what's next for their city.

A Raqqa resident asks why militia had to destroy his city to liberate it
Wisam Albaiedhani (left) interpreting for US troops in Iraq.

Trump's travel ban sows confusion and fear, even among those eligible for visas

Trump's travel ban sows confusion and fear, even among those eligible for visas
Mourners carry the coffin of a member of Iraqi security forces, killed during clashes in Mosul.

ISIS is cornered in Mosul's Old City. Militants are using everything they've got to hold on.

ISIS is cornered in Mosul's Old City. Militants are using everything they've got to hold on.
A Syrian civil defence member uses an oxygen mask after a suspected gas attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib.

'Shocking' video shows alleged chemical attack in Syria. But will it have an impact?

'Shocking' video shows alleged chemical attack in Syria. But will it have an impact?
Syrian refugee sponsors canada

Canadians reached out to Syrian refugees. Now they hesitate to let go.

Canadians reached out to Syrian refugees. Now they hesitate to let go.
Drs. Abdulkhalek (center) and Farida (right)  look on during a Senate Foreign Relations hearing on the conflict in Syria on Capitol Hill in Washington.

These two Syrian doctors survived the siege of Aleppo — and helped many others survive, too

As bombs rained down in Aleppo, these Syrian doctors comforted their patients — and their daughter. The couple traveled to Washington this week to lobby Congress for humanitarian aid for Syria.

These two Syrian doctors survived the siege of Aleppo — and helped many others survive, too
Demonstrators protest President Donald Trump's travel ban outside Philadelphia International Airport.

This Trump voter is stunned to find her Syrian relatives deported

Sarmad Assali, an Orthodox Christian in Allentown, Pennsylvania, supported Donald Trump for president. She was stunned this weekend when his refugee and immigration restrictions meant her relatives were deported back to Damascus.

This Trump voter is stunned to find her Syrian relatives deported
A girl carries a bowl filled with water, in the rebel held besieged town of Douma, eastern Damascus.

Water is scarce in Damascus, and so is faith in a new ceasefire

Syrians on both sides of their country's political divide search for an end to a grinding conflict.

Water is scarce in Damascus, and so is faith in a new ceasefire
 Aleppo residents walk past a burnt bus in the city's rebel-held Seif al-Dawla neighborhood.

Driving without headlights in besieged eastern Aleppo

The only female obstetrician left in eastern Aleppo says she's living in a ghost town.

Driving without headlights in besieged eastern Aleppo
The new digital comic "Madaya Mom" gives life to a story TV cameras can't reach.

A digital comic book tells the real-life tale of a heroic mom in besieged Syria

Marvel Comics has illustrated the almost super-human skills needed to be a parent in the Syrian town of Madaya.

A digital comic book tells the real-life tale of a heroic mom in besieged Syria
Workers collect material to be recycled and reused for reconstruction, under the supervision of the United Nations Development Programme in government-controlled Homs, Syria.

Syria's concrete-block architecture contributed to its unraveling

The construction of Brutalist-style featureless apartments hastened the loss of cohesion in Syrian society, according to Homs architect Marwa al-Sabouni, whose book "The Battle for Home" and accompanying TED talk offer a new vision.

Syria's concrete-block architecture contributed to its unraveling
Civil defense members carry a casualty after an airstrike in the rebel held area of al-Sukari in Aleppo.

A Chicago surgeon recounts a nightmarish journey through Aleppo

Working in the besieged Syrian city tests the resolve of even the most daring doctors.

A Chicago surgeon recounts a nightmarish journey through Aleppo
The Beirut-based indie-rock band Mashrou' Leila.

A Beirut-based band that challenges homophobia

The indie-rock band Mashrou' Leila is perhaps the only high-profile Middle Eastern musical group with an openly gay lead singer.

A Beirut-based band that challenges homophobia
This Syrian couple and their 5 year old son lauded Gov. Dannel Malloy (second from right) for personally welcoming them to Indiana last November. The family is withholding their last name due to concerns about the safety of relatives back in Syria.

Connecticut welcomed this Syrian refugee family after Indiana slammed its door on them

Here's why Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy is advocating on behalf of Syrian refugees.

Connecticut welcomed this Syrian refugee family after Indiana slammed its door on them
Supporters of three young Somali Americans on trial for plotting to join ISIS in Syria.

Guilty verdict in Minnesota ISIS trial splinters Somali community

Minneapolis friends stood trial for charges that included conspiracy to provide support to ISIS and commit murder abroad.

Guilty verdict in Minnesota ISIS trial splinters Somali community