Shirin Jaafari

Reporter

The World

Shirin Jaafari is a reporter for The World focusing on the Middle East. She has covered conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Ukraine. Her reporting focuses on current events, politics, conflict and human rights. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Harvard’s Extension School. Before joining The World, Shirin worked for the BBC in Washington, DC. Shirin was a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists in 2009 and she received an honorable mention from the Gracie Award in 2022 for her coverage of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.When not filing for radio, she can be found hiking and camping in the mountains.You can find her on Twitter @Shirinj.


After Assad’s fall, a revered Shia shrine in Syria faces a new era of uncertainty

Syria

A shrine on the outskirts of Damascus has long been a prominent destination for Shias from around the world. Its golden dome glistens in the sun and its outer walls are covered in tiles from Iran. But the shrine’s connection to Iran goes beyond aesthetics. Iranian guards not only once protected the holy site — they also helped keep Syria’s former leader, Bashar al-Assad, in power.

For this photographer, the fall of Assad means a rediscovery of his home country

Syria

Christians in historic town in Syria reflect on new moment in the country

Sacred Nation

‘Nowhere is safe’: The teenage guitarists who fled Afghanistan — and are now in limbo

Conflict & Justice

Bringing history back to life: How Iranians are reviving old homes into cultural gems

Development

Israel cuts off aid to Gaza, raising concerns about meeting dire humanitarian needs in the region

Conflict & Justice

Israel has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing Hamas’ rejection of a new proposal to extend the ceasefire. Hamas has expressed reservations about the plan because it does not include a commitment from Israel to end the war or fully withdraw its troops. Humanitarian groups warn that cutting off aid now could sabotage the progress made in Gaza since the start of the ceasefire back in January.

A father-daughter duo brings an ancient art form to Instagram

About an hour outside of London, Thames Carpets sells handmade carpets mostly from the Middle East. The business goes back decades, and now, the next generation is spreading awareness of the ancient art on a new platform.

Many Palestinians in Gaza have no homes left to return to

Israel-Hamas war

As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to hold, Palestinians have been making their way back to their homes in Gaza. But many of them are finding that their homes are gone. The UN estimates that 70% of the total structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed and that it could take decades just to clear the rubble.

They were part of Afghanistan’s first-ever all-female flight. Then their lives were turned upside down.

Conflict & Justice

In 2021, six women — two pilots and four cabin crew — participated in Afghanistan’s first-ever all-female flight. It was a historic moment. Their photos and videos were shared all over the world. Then, a few months later, their lives were turned upside down when the Taliban toppled the Afghan government and took over the country.

What we know about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas

Israel-Hamas war

After months of back and forth, Hamas and Israel appear to have reached a ceasefire deal. The agreement, which was mediated by Egypt, the US and Qatar, will be carried out in three phases. The World’s Shirin Jaafari speaks with host Marco Werman about the latest.