Israel seizes medieval castle as it expands major offensive in southern Lebanon ^26.2%

NPR - By Greg Myre, Jane Arraf - 5/31/2026, 1:33 PM

Ambiguity (Equivocation) 37.6% - Negativity Bias 28.3% - Biased Writer Voice 23.6%

BEIRUT, LEBANON — Israeli forces have captured a medieval castle in southern Lebanon which dates back to the Crusader era and raised their flag on the strategic mountaintop, part of Israel's deepest military push into Lebanon in 26 years. Video showed the Israeli flag fluttering from atop the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle while black... more

U.S.-Iran peace deal emerging, while war threats still loom ^7.5%

NPR - By Jane Arraf - 5/25/2026, 10:16 AM

Negativity Bias 16.2% - Self-Serving Bias 10.7% - False Dilemma 10.3%

President Trump and other administration officials are tempering expectations raised of an imminent agreement to end the war in Iran while Iranian officials have signaled there are still disagreements on key issues. Trump, after saying Saturday that the U.S. and Iran had "largely negotiated" a memorandum of understanding that would... more

In Beirut, refugee girls and women learn more than self-defense in martial arts class ^0.5%

STLPR - By Jane Arraf - 5/25/2026, 10:00 AM

Anecdotal 19% - Hasty Generalization 16.6% - Post Hoc (False Cause) 10.4%

BEIRUT — In a makeshift gym in the Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp, the participants in this martial arts class are unlearning much of what they have been taught about how girls and women should behave. It's the end of a two-month course in Brazilian jiu jitsu - a form of the Japanese martial art - and the small space rings out with yells... more

Abandoned allies: Syria's Kurds face an uncertain future ^65.2%

NPR - By Jane Arraf, Sangar Khaleel - 4/15/2026, 9:23 PM

Negativity Bias 26.8% - Post Hoc (False Cause) 12.2% - Appeal to Emotion 8.1%

QAMISHLI, Syria — The former dividing line between Syrian government territory and Syrian Kurdish forces — a landmark previously approached with caution in this north eastern city — is now a busy street. There is no trace of the photo of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or its menacing message reading "they fought you and forget... more

Pope Leo visits a wounded Lebanon in his first trip to the Middle East ^69.1%

NPR - By Jane Arraf - 12/1/2025, 12:15 PM

BEIRUT — Pope Leo XIV is in Lebanon on his first visit to the Middle East since he was chosen as leader of the world's Catholics in May. He arrives at a pivotal time for the country, buffeted by conflict with Israel and a devastating economic crisis. The pope arrived Sunday evening from Turkey, his first foreign destination, where he... more

Pope's visit to Lebanon sparks hope but also frustration ^57.5%

NPR - By Jane Arraf - 11/29/2025, 11:01 AM

HARISSA, Lebanon — In the mountains near Beirut, a giant statue of the Virgin Mary atop a spiral pedestal holds her hands out in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, visible beyond the railing of Our Lady of Lebanon sanctuary. It's a tranquil place; far removed although not unaffected by the country's seemingly endless cycle of... more