Matthew Bell

Editor

Matthew Bell is an editor at The World.

I’m an editor and correspondent based in the Boston newsroom. When I’m not working closely with producers and hosts on our daily program, I’m looking for new story angles to report – especially related to China, the Middle East and religion. By way of background, I studied comparative religion and Chinese history at the University of Vermont. That led me to Mandarin language classes and U.C. Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. My first job in public radio was at KQED in San Francisco. I joined The World as a staff reporter in 2001 and over the years I’ve covered a wide range of global stories: from immigration to U.S. foreign policy; international business to North Korea’s nuclear activities; the wars in Iraq, Ukraine and the Gaza Strip to human rights in China. I spent three years as The World’s Middle East correspondent based in Jerusalem. Beyond journalism, I’m helping to raise a couple of kids in Massachusetts and trying to become a better guitar player.


In South Korea, shamans are shunned — and revered 

Sacred Nation

Shamans, the practitioners of an ancient belief system, are often disparaged in South Korea. But they also hold a special place in the country’s culture. 

Supporters of impeached South Korean president rally for him to be reinstated

Leaders

‘Angst in the air’: South Koreans demonstrate for and against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

Conflict & Justice

Armenian Christians of Jerusalem say their centuries-old community faces an existential threat    

Sacred Nation

The number of Americans studying in China is a fraction of what it once was

Israeli PM Netanyahu defends the war in Gaza on Capitol Hill 

Israel-Hamas war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the goal for his visit to Washington is to shore up bipartisan support for Israel and its war in Gaza. But his trip has been met with protests, with many Democratic Party lawmakers deciding not to attend his speech on Wednesday.

ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for leaders from Hamas and Israel

Israel-Hamas war

The top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court today announced a request for arrest warrants for top leaders from both Hamas and the Israeli government. Karim Khan said that he has reason to believe that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the Israeli defense minister, and three top leaders from Hamas all “bear criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

Gaza war is putting Egyptian-Israeli relations to the test

Israel-Hamas war

When the Israeli military seized control of the border crossing at Rafah, the Egyptian government seemed to be taken by surprise. Egypt’s government has stopped cooperating with aid shipments into Rafah. It’s also joined South Africa’s effort at the International Court of Justice to bring charges of genocide against Israel. Experts say the 45-year-old Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty is being put at risk. 

Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, delivers a speech during a rally marking "Jerusalem Day," or Al-Quds Day, an annual celebration to support Palestinians in the holy city, at a soccer filed in Gaza City, Friday, April 14, 2023.

Who is Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and what does he want? 

Israel-Hamas war

Israel’s national security adviser says top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is “living on borrowed time.” Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. He would also have to sign off on any ceasefire deal to release the remaining hostages held in Gaza.  

This photo provided by the Israel Defense Forces shows a tank with an Israel flag on it entering the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

As Israel moves into Rafah, are ceasefire talks over? 

The Israel Defense Forces now controls Gaza’s main border crossing with Egypt in the city of Rafah. Israel’s military carried out airstrikes overnight in Rafah. The IDF operation commenced on Monday as Hamas offered a counterproposal for a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange. The negotiations aimed at getting a ceasefire in place appear to be ongoing.