Ultra-Orthodox Israelis have long been exempt from compulsory military service. But the October 7th attack by Hamas and Israel's subsequent military response have brought forward calls for change. The government's decision on whether to end the exemption has major political consequences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

More than 8 million people have been displaced in Sudan, according to the United Nations. A powerful paramilitary group has been fighting the Sudanese army for over a year. We hear from a Sudanese poet, who is trying to draw attention to the overlooked conflict in her country.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Following the attack of more than 300 weaponized drones and missiles launched by Iran at Israel, the Israeli prime minster is getting pressure from the U.S. for Israel to be measured in its response, while some domestic politicians are demanding a strong reaction. Our correspondent in Tel Aviv gives us the latest. And Jordan was part of the success in shooting down the majority of projectiles bound for Israel. We hear what the reaction has been in that country where 60 percent of the population is of Palestinian origin.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It has been three decades since the East African country of Rwanda experienced a genocide that changed the country and shocked the world. We look at the state of their society today.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ownership of the Spratly Islands are in dispute. This has been the case for decades, but tensions have been raised recently as China has tried to expand its claims in the remote area. We get a rare glimpse of one of the islands that has a Filipino community living on it.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

While the ideological gender gap among young people is widening across the developed world, it is particularly alarming in South Korea. Experts are concerned about what it means for the country's future. Our reporter in Seoul examines the phenomenon. Sign up for State of the World+ to listen sponsor-free and support the work of NPR journalists. Visit plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Understandably, a movie about the man who steered the development of atomic bombs is seen differently in a country where some 200,000 people were killed by those bombs. "Oppenheimer" opened in Japan 8 months after premiering in the U.S. Our reporter talks to movie goers in Nagasaki, Japan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Aviva Siegel was among the more than 200 Israelis taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th. She was held 51 days before being released. Her husband, Keith, who is a U.S. citizen, is still being held in Gaza. We hear about Aviva Siegel's time in captivity and her advocacy for the release of Keith and the remaining hostages. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Chinese-funded marijuana farms are popping up across the United States. Many of them exploit workers from China. We go to New Mexico, which has seen the rise of such farms and explore the reasons why this is happening.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NATO, the alliance formed to protect Europe from the Soviet Union is marking 75 years. It the focus is still on Russia. And a controversy in France over a singer selected to perform at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, raises questions about French identity.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy