At the Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal in downtown Moscow, passengers rush past the

Special Series

Russia By Rail

Nearly 6,000 miles of railroad separate Russia's capital city of Moscow from Vladivostok, on the Pacific Ocean. A journey crossing the world's largest country reveals how Russia's history has shaped its people and where they want their country to go.

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 Libyans celebrate in Benghazi as they receive the news that rebels have entered the capital, Tripoli, and dictator Moammar Gadhafi's regime is collapsing. Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images

A year ago, the people of Tunisia and Egypt rose up and forced their autocratic rulers from power, sparking revolution that spread across the Arab World. It's still not clear how these seismic changes will play out; so far, the results have been mixed.

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National Security

Missile Defense A Divisive Topic At NATO Summit

Russia and the U.S. are trying hard to agree on a plan to build a missile defense system in Europe.

The shooting death of a U.S. Marine earlier this month was one of a growing number of such killings.

An Afghan Shoots, A Marine Dies, Mistrust Grows

The shooting death of a U.S. Marine earlier this month was one of a growing number of such killings.

Investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill explains what's happening on the ground in Yemen.

Why The U.S. Is Aggressively Targeting Yemen

Investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill explains what's happening on the ground in Yemen.

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Middle East

Hundreds of Turkish women die each year at the hands of men, often their husband or a family member.

In Turkey, Debating A Woman's Right To Bear Arms

Hundreds of Turkish women die each year at the hands of men, often their husband or a family member.

Palestinian religious figures are now encouraging foreign Muslims to visit the Al-Aqsa mosque.

In Change, Palestinians Now Seek High-Profile Visits

Palestinian religious figures are now encouraging foreign Muslims to visit the Al-Aqsa mosque.

Amr Moussa was one of the country's most prominent political figures during Hosni Mubarak's rule.

Egypt's New President Could Come From Old Guard

Amr Moussa was one of the country's most prominent political figures during Hosni Mubarak's rule.

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Europe

A statement from the G-8 nations seamlessly bridged both sides of the austerity vs. growth debate.

Obama: G-8 Leaders Agree Growth, Jobs Are Priority

A statement from the G-8 nations seamlessly bridged both sides of the austerity vs. growth debate.

Olympic Flame Flies To United Kingdom

Vicki Barker reports as flame for the London Olympics arrives in the UK.

Bomb Explodes Outside School In Italy

The device went off as students arrived for class, killing one and wounding seven others.

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Asia

Chen Guangcheng, whose escape from house arrest sparked a diplomatic crisis, has arrived in the U.S.

Chinese Activist Takes A Sudden Journey To The West

Chen Guangcheng, whose escape from house arrest sparked a diplomatic crisis, has arrived in the U.S.

Dissident Leaves China For U.S.

Chen left Beijing on a plane bound for New Jersey, closing a nearly monthlong diplomatic tussle.

Tamae Watanabe, 73, reached the summit of the world's tallest mountain this morning.

Oldest Woman To Summit Everest Breaks Record A Second Time

Tamae Watanabe, 73, reached the summit of the world's tallest mountain this morning.

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Europe

In Turkey, Debating A Woman's Right To Bear Arms()  

A woman holds a photo of Guldunya Toren, an unmarried mother allegedly killed by her brothers for having a child out of wedlock, outside parliament in Ankara, Turkey, in 2004. Her case prompted huge protests and forced Turks to realize that the justice system often fails to protect at-risk women.

May 19, 2012 Hundreds of Turkish women die each year at the hands of men, often their husband or a family member, and many more are routinely abused. Activists say the police and legal response has been dismal. One group has issued a controversial proposal: arming at-risk women and training them in self-defense.

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Politics

Are 8 Heads Better Than 1 At Fixing Europe's Debt?()  

President Obama speaks with other G-8 leaders at Camp David in Maryland during the summit on Friday.

May 19, 2012 The Group of Eight is meeting at Camp David this weekend. The setting is leisurely, but there's nothing relaxing about the timing of the summit. While leaders may agree about the need for growth in the debt-ridden European economy, addressing the crisis is easier said than done.

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On Weekend Edition SaturdayPlaylist

Asia

Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng Leaves For U.S.()  

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng heads for his flight bound for New York at Beijing's international airport on Saturday.

May 19, 2012 Chen Guangcheng was hurriedly taken from a hospital Saturday and put on a plane bound for the United States, closing a nearly monthlong diplomatic tussle that had tested U.S.-China relations. U.S.-based rights activist Bob Fu called Chen's departure "a victory for freedom fighters."

Summary

Middle East

In Change, Palestinians Now Seek High-Profile Visits()  

Egypt's grand mufti, Ali Gomaa (center, with scarf), visits the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem in April. The Dome of the Rock, which is part of the same compound, is shown behind him. Many Muslims have boycotted the site because Israel claims sovereignty. But Palestinian religious figures now say they welcome such visits, a move that has sparked controversy.

May 18, 2012 For decades, the Palestinians have urged foreign Muslims to boycott one of the holiest sites in Islam, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. But now, Palestinian religious figures are encouraging such visits, saying they could highlight Palestinian claims in their feud with Israel.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Middle East

Egypt's New President Could Come From Old Guard()  

Amr Moussa, a prominent figure during the rule of former President Hosni Mubarak, is the front-runner as Egyptians prepare to vote for president next week. He is shown here during a campaign event on the outskirts of Cairo on Wednesday.

May 18, 2012 Egypt had a revolution last year as the country united behind a call to oust Hosni Mubarak and sweep away his regime. Yet just days before the country's presidential election, the front-runner is Amr Moussa — one of the country's most prominent political figures during Mubarak's rule.

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