Understanding the Mideast conflict: A historical primer
Voice of America
Smoke rises in northern Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from Israel, Oct. 7, 2024. FILE - This photo shows the U.S.-owned Genco Picardy that was attacked Jan. 17, 2024, with a drone launched by Houthis in the Gulf of Aden. (Indian navy via AP) FILE - A woman looks at pictures of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, one year after the attack, in Tel Aviv, Oct. 7, 2024.
The Middle East is on the brink. Just days after a massive missile attack on Israel, Iran is threatening more strikes. Israel, already battling Iranian-backed militias on two fronts, is vowing retaliation. The U.S. has deployed thousands of troops to the region.
Security officers examine the site of an explosion outside Karachi airport, in Karachi, Pakistan, Oct. 7, 2024. FILE - Port Qasim Power Plant, shown in theis 2019 photo, in the port city of Karachi is one of several coal-based production units China has built in Pakistan. FILE - Chinese and Pakistani engineers jointly operate the Port Qasim Power Plant in Karachi, Pakistan, as shown in this 2019 photo.
A woman casts her vote during a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, at a polling station in the village of Ulken in the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, Oct. 6, 2024. A drone view shows the village of Ulken in the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, Oct. 5, 2024. Ulken was selected as the most preferred location for the construction of a nuclear power plant.
People march on the street as Pro-Palestinian supporters rally in Sydney, Oct. 6, 2024. People attend a demonstration in support of Israel to mark the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 6, 2024. Palestinian journalists hold posters during a protest ahead of the one year anniversary of the Israel Hamas war, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Oct. 6, 2024.