Steve Inskeep

Iran's Election May Not Really Be About Picking A President

Steve Inskeep — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:53:00 +0000

When Iranians vote Friday for president, it will be an election unlike any other.

Clerics who hold supreme power in the Islamic Republic have allowed elections for decades.

But while the people vote, clerics and their allies make the rules. Those already in power choose who can run for office and limit what they do if elected.

Restrictions are tighter than ever after massive protests that followed a disputed election in 2009.

Despite Limited Election Choices, Iranians Eager To Be Heard

Steve Inskeep — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:28:00 +0000

The day we arrived in Iran's capital, Tehran, billboards along the drive from the airport to the city center were already telling us something about what's happening in the country as it prepared for Friday's presidential elections.

We see typical highway signs for Sony Ericsson, but also billboards featuring the face of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.

Za'atar: A Spice Mix With Biblical Roots And Brain Food Reputation

Steve Inskeep — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:40:00 +0000

NPR Morning Edition Host Steve Inskeep recently traveled to Damascus for a series of reports on the ongoing war in Syria. He sent this postcard from the road.

Dear Salt:

On my first day in Damascus, I went walking in the ancient bazaar — narrow stone-paved streets surrounding a great stone mosque. The mosque is so old, it used to be a church during the Roman Empire, and before it was a church, it was a pagan temple.

Barrios Family Blames Venezuelan Police For Men's Murders

Steve Inskeep — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:15:00 +0000

The story of Venezuela's Eloisa Barrios is especially revealing because so many of her relatives have been killed. Revealing because of who she believes pulled the trigger.

Some weeks ago, Barrios climbed into our van for a drive to a cemetery. The burial ground is outside a village in the Venezuelan countryside. We went there to visit the Barrios family dead.

She told us nine relatives had been killed in shootings over the past 15 years. All nine were young men.

Eloisa doesn't visit their graves much. She's moved away from this village, called Guanajan.

For Venezuelans, Kidnappings Are Simply Business As Usual

Steve Inskeep — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:50:00 +0000

German Garcia-Velutini got into his car and left work one day. It took him 11 months to get home.

Kidnappers had nabbed the Venezuelan banker.