NPR gains rare access to the Israel-occupied zone of southern Lebanon.

U.S. threats erupt into attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran retaliates against U.S. targets in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan in the first exchange of fire since July 29.

(Image credit: Amirhosein Khorgooi)

Treasure Secretary Scott Bessent said oil pipelines will make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant in two years. Energy experts say that is unlikely to happen.

(Image credit: Leo Correa)

Syria's Kurds, once backed by the U.S. to fight ISIS, have relinquished autonomy and dissolved their army to rejoin Syria.

Pilgrims came to Iraq from all over the world in August. Many Iraqi and Iranian pilgrims walked hundreds of miles in extreme heat to mark the event. Outside the shrines, the atmosphere is almost festive.

Iraq's new prime minister faces a huge dilemma in promising President Trump he will disarm Iran-backed militias by Sept. 30