Alison Meuse

ISIS claimed responsibility for attacks in Tehran, one on Iran's parliament, the other on a shrine to Ayatollah Khomeni. Attacks are very unusual in Iran, which is a relatively peaceful place.

Over the past year, Lebanon has made strides in the legal battle to decriminalize homosexuality. Speaking at Beirut Pride week, members of the community say there's still a long way to acceptance.

The U.S. considers deploying hundreds more American troops to Syria in the final phase of the war against ISIS — one that could reshape borders and relationships in the Middle East.

In some areas of Syria, local truces have averted deadly military takeovers. But in a suburb north of Damascus, rebel fighters say their departure resulted more from coercion than negotiation.

After a week of heavy fighting and shelling, evacuations have begun in the besieged city of Aleppo. A few thousand people have been able to leave, but still many are trapped in the eastern part of the Syrian city.

Civilians in the rebel-held side of the city are fleeing for their lives, dodging crossfire along the front line to reach the regime-held part of the city. "It was all so sudden," one woman tells NPR.

Beirut's lone communist inspired bar toasts the life of Fidel Castro.

The Syrian regime and Russian forces have been bombarding the city of Aleppo, often hitting civilian targets in the process. An attack on a bread line is among the latest.

Despite calls by the U.N. for a cease-fire, the Syrian government and rebel forces are escalating their battle for control of Aleppo, a city they see as critical in the five-year civil war.

A strategic town in the south of Syria long-controlled by opposition fighters has reportedly fallen to regime troops with the assistance of Russian air power.