Syria Struggles to Find Unity
The new government in Syria, formed after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad, is working to disband local militias to form one national army. But some groups are refusing to join. We meet one very well armed religious minority called the Druse. They say they're afraid of sectarian attacks from the new government and will not be giving up their weapons.

The new government in Syria, formed after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad, is working to disband local militias to form one national army. But some groups are refusing to join. We meet one very well armed religious minority called the Druse. They say they're afraid of sectarian attacks from the new government and will not be giving up their weapons.

Latest NPR news
- What is the strategy behind the U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen?We've heard a lot about U.S. bombing plans for Yemen – mostly from a group chat on Signal. But how's the actual bombing campaign going after nearly three weeks? We've heard a lot less about that.
- Trump takes aim at trade deficits. Are they actually bad?Whatever you think of President Trump's tariffs, there's one point you have to concede: his interest in them is not a passing whim. He noted that on Wednesday, in the Rose Garden, when he was announcing the latest, massive round of tariffs. "I've been talking about this for 40 years," he said. The use of tariffs are a core belief for Donald Trump. Trade deficits are bad, other countries take advantage of the U.S. and tariffs are the way to fix this. Since the Rose Garden announcement, markets have plunged, other countries have promised to retaliate, and members of his own party have spoken out against the tariffs. Trump's tariff plan is designed to eliminate U.S. trade deficits. Are trade deficits actually bad? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
- Russia escapes Trump Tariffs, as envoy pushes deals with WashingtonA visit by a senior Kremlin envoy to the White House this week may help explain why Russia is not on President Trump's tariffs list - and determine for just how long Russia can stay off the list.
- Danes boycott U.S. goods over Greenland tensionsDanish consumers are turning their back on U.S. goods because of tensions over Greenland.
- World reacts to Trump tariffs with ire, dismay and confusionGlobal markets and political leaders from much of the world have been reacting to President Trump's sweeping tariffs.
- Global Reaction to the U.S. Tariff WarThe world is reacting to President Trump's announcement of new tariffs on nearly every country on the planet. The move is meant to re-shape the global trading order and some countries are being hit harder than others. NPR correspondents around the world are hearing anger, dismay, threats of retaliation and bewilderment.