Newsletter Archive

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When Islamic State took control of Mosul in 2014, conditions in the northern Iraqi city were so bad that some residents believed IS rule might improve things. Their hopes were quickly, brutally dashed. Now, nearly three years later, Iraqi government forces are poised to retake the city. But will they do any better in the aftermath of victory or will another extremist force take hold?

What’s it like to be held prisoner by North Korea? American Otto Warmbier died this week after his detention led to severe brain damage, and ultimately, his death. We may never know the full story of what occurred during the college student’s ordeal. But American Jeffrey Fowle did live to tell his story. The 58-year-old was detained for 6 months after leaving a Korean-English bible in the bathroom of a nightclub. From his home in Ohio, he describes his time as a captive in North Korea.

VIDEO EXPLAINER: You know how immigrants or others working in foreign countries send money home to their families? There’s actually a name for that. Those transactions are called remittances and they’re worth billions each year. Here’s a quick rundown on how much money is being passed around, where it’s going, and who’s receiving it.

On World Refugee Day, displaced people are cooking up a storm in restaurant kitchens across 13 European countries. They’re taking part in the Refugee Food Festival, introducing restaurant-goers to popular dishes from the countries they’ve left behind. In Brussels, VOA catches up with Abdell Baset as he prepares a variety of foods from his native Syria.

South Korea’s desire to improve relations with North Korea could provoke discord with the Trump administration. The possible resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a stalled economic cooperation project, could translate into significant financial benefits for Pyongyang, contradicting Washington’s North Korea policy, which focuses on thwarting the regime’s nuclear weapons program by shutting off all possible revenue streams that fund it.

Beirut’s tough Ouzai neighborhood is getting a beauty makeover. Internationally renowned graffiti artists and local youngsters are adding a splash of color to the slum area, which one entrepreneur sees as a perfect canvas upon which to paint dreams of a better Lebanon.