https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Fri, 22 May 2026 18:31:38 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL Afghanistan is drawing travel influencers, many of whom showcase the country’s beauty and hospitality under Taliban rule. But critics say these videos whitewash human rights violations and overlook the harsh restrictions Afghan women face, including strict bans on education, work, and public life. https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-welcomes-female-tourists-as-afghan-women-face-harsher-restrictions/33762706.html https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-welcomes-female-tourists-as-afghan-women-face-harsher-restrictions/33762706.html Fri, 22 May 2026 17:58:05 +0200 VideosVideo Archive US officials have proposed that Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine lift sanctions on Belarusian potash to allow the transit of the agricultural product – a major source of hard currency revenue for Minsk --- through their territories. https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-fertilizer-potash-exports-us-sanctions-eu/33762526.html https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-fertilizer-potash-exports-us-sanctions-eu/33762526.html Fri, 22 May 2026 15:03:29 +0200 NewsBelarusRussiaUkraineThe Rundown Stories Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif begins a three-day visit to China on May 23 as tensions in the Middle East remain high. Analysts say Sharif is expected to push for renewed urgency in US-Iran negotiations. https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-china-iran-us-diplomacy-talks/33761723.html https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-china-iran-us-diplomacy-talks/33761723.html Fri, 22 May 2026 13:19:23 +0200 FeaturesIranPakistanThe Rundown StoriesChina US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended how Washington shifted military forces around the world amid confusion over whether a brigade-size contingent of US troops would be rotated out of Poland. https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-meeting-sweden-troop-cuts/33762435.html https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-meeting-sweden-troop-cuts/33762435.html Fri, 22 May 2026 10:54:43 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineEurope A state-approved photo story intended to celebrate motherhood and volunteerism became a political controversy in Iran because the images used showed a woman unveiled at home. The photos were deleted within hours and the state news agency’s boss was later summoned by the authorities. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-foster-child-hijab-woman-irna-censor/33761942.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-foster-child-hijab-woman-irna-censor/33761942.html Fri, 22 May 2026 10:35:41 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories As the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to impact and shape the region, journalists from RFE/RL's Central Newsroom and Iranian service, Radio Farda, deliver ongoing updates and analysis. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html Fri, 22 May 2026 09:10:00 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there has been "slight progress" in Pakistan-mediated talks to end the Iran war, while warning against what he described as Tehran's attempt to establish a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz, which he said no country should accept. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-rubio-iran-ceasefire-hormuz-uranium/33762051.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-rubio-iran-ceasefire-hormuz-uranium/33762051.html Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:42 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown Stories Some experts believe the recent emergence of fiber-optic drones piloted by Hezbollah militants indicates Russia is feeding Iran intelligence about drone warfare, others believe a more worrying potential is more likely. https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-iran-fiber-optic-drones-russia-ukraine-war/33761841.html https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-iran-fiber-optic-drones-russia-ukraine-war/33761841.html Thu, 21 May 2026 20:28:57 +0200 FeaturesIranRussiaUkraineThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Iran is cementing its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key international shipping route, 11 weeks after the start of the war with the United States and Israel. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-strait-of-hormuz-toll-defying-united-states/33761865.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-strait-of-hormuz-toll-defying-united-states/33761865.html Thu, 21 May 2026 16:35:14 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories A Ukrainian drone strike targeted the Syzran oil refinery in Russia. The Samara regional governor reported two deaths and injuries following the attack. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces confirmed the strike, saying the refinery supplies fuel to the Russian military. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-drones-strike-oil-refinery-deep-inside-russia/33761797.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-drones-strike-oil-refinery-deep-inside-russia/33761797.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:39:28 +0200 RussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Sweden for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers as European allies seek reassurances over US troop drawdowns and Washington's shifting rhetoric on the alliance. https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-sweden-troop-cuts-russia/33761765.html https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-sweden-troop-cuts-russia/33761765.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:55:10 +0200 FeaturesRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineEurope Poor turnout for an online election underscores the daunting challenges faced by the largely exiled Belarusian democratic opposition six years after a groundswell of popular protests raised hopes for change in a country ruled by authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko since 1994. https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-exiled-opposition-bleak-shadow-election/33760941.html https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-exiled-opposition-bleak-shadow-election/33760941.html Thu, 21 May 2026 09:10:21 +0200 BelarusFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Iranian monarchist groups are voicing anger over reports that FIFA intends to ban the so-called Lion and Sun flag, often used as a symbol of resistance to the theocratic rule that took over the country in 1979. The soccer association says the flag is a "political" symbol and is therefore forbidden. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-opposition-flag-fifa-world-cup/33761265.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-opposition-flag-fifa-world-cup/33761265.html Thu, 21 May 2026 00:46:37 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories In an interview with RFE/RL, Representative Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, backed tough sanctions on Russia, saying that the United States should keep applying financial pressure. He said Ukraine's recent attacks on military targets inside Russia appear to be "a game-changer" in the war. https://www.rferl.org/a/united-states-russia-sanctions-representative-don-bacon/33761153.html https://www.rferl.org/a/united-states-russia-sanctions-representative-don-bacon/33761153.html Wed, 20 May 2026 17:33:39 +0200 RussiaVideo ArchiveVideos As Iran struggles with the economic fallout from months of conflict, Afghan refugees and migrant workers in the Islamic republic say they are paying a disproportionate price. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-afghanistan-migrants-war/33761126.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-afghanistan-migrants-war/33761126.html Wed, 20 May 2026 17:30:41 +0200 IranFeaturesAfghanistanThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East The world soccer governing body FIFA reportedly plans to again prohibit fans from displaying Iran's pre-revolutionary flag at the 2026 World Cup, renewing a controversy that shadowed the tournament in Qatar four years ago. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fifa-lion-sun-flag-ban-world-cup/33761122.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fifa-lion-sun-flag-ban-world-cup/33761122.html Wed, 20 May 2026 17:13:23 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Four-plus years into Russia’s all-out invasion, Ukraine has battled Moscow’s forces to a standstill. In fact, by some accounts, Ukraine has even recaptured territory, offering Kyiv a glimmer of optimism after a grueling winter. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-battlefield-gains/33761066.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-battlefield-gains/33761066.html Wed, 20 May 2026 16:37:47 +0200 UkraineFeaturesRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Kyrgyzstan has taken sweeping action to clamp down on companies suspected of circumventing Western sanctions imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-crackdown-russia-sanctions/33761041.html https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-crackdown-russia-sanctions/33761041.html Wed, 20 May 2026 15:04:31 +0200 NewsKyrgyzstanRussiaUkraineThe Rundown Stories Republican Congressman Don Bacon warned that uncertainty over US commitments to NATO risks emboldening Russia, Iran, and China, arguing Washington must maintain strong alliances and military deterrence amid growing global instability. https://www.rferl.org/a/don-bacon-nato-russia-iran-china-us-alliances/33760960.html https://www.rferl.org/a/don-bacon-nato-russia-iran-china-us-alliances/33760960.html Wed, 20 May 2026 13:12:08 +0200 FeaturesIranRussiaThe Rundown Stories Over two days, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect that the cease-fire with Iran will be broken by new US military strikes -- in comments that have drawn close scrutiny from analysts and policymakers. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-strike-iran-restraint-war/33760289.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-strike-iran-restraint-war/33760289.html Wed, 20 May 2026 10:39:25 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories