In 2017, Sami Rahma plans to go back to school in his adopted home of The Netherlands so that one day he can go home to Syria and rebuild it

Laws grant them equality, but Tunisian women face pay and power discrimination. Don Duncan on how they're trying to change that.

Ireland is desperately short of housing and there isn't any sign that the situation will change anytime soon. But crises often spawn innovations and one Irish architect is trying to pave the way for new solutions.

These days, you can see signs of the anniversary all over Belgium — World War I-themed beer, T-shirts, replica uniforms. There’s even a Flemish-language musical extravaganza set during the Great War.

A Flemish musical about the Great War is a domestic success, but will it manage to export?

One hundred years ago, West Flanders was one of the most militarized zones on Earth. Now, with the centenary of the war commencing, the region is readying itself to reap the benefits of a projected army of tourists.

With a growth in tourist numbers of 50% projected over the centenary years, businesses in Flanders are poised to make the most of the boon.

In northern Ethiopia people mostly get by as subsistence farmers. The government and international organizations have tried and failed for years to improve the well-being of locals. But then, one village went and did it all on its own.

In Belgium and the Netherlands, the latest race debate shaking up politics and the press is coming from an unlikely suspect: Santa’s Little Helpers.

With a higher Christian population than neighbouring states, Lebanon is becoming their refuge of choice.

You might wonder then, when most if not all EU bureaucrats master English, what’s the point in maintaining 23 official languages, especially at such expense?

Belgium's latest internal battle has come from a most unlikely source - the choice of the annual Christmas tree in Brussels' main square.

In recent years, Belgium has lost ground to other countries in its comic strip output. But now, it is fighting back...

The ongoing violence in Syria is proving an economic boon for cross-border smuggler. this time their cargo is the wounded.

Profile of Layla Totah, and Englishwoman in Beirut who has built a business around ethical consumerism

The United Nations says the year-long Syrian uprising has cost almost twelve thousand lives so far. But what of the many more injured by the conflict?

In the aftermath of the overthrow of Moammar Gaddafi, Libya is trying to get guns and heavy weaponry off the streets. So far, it hasn't proved easy.

Libya's NTC wants to disarm the population it armed to topple Ghaddafi. But not everyone is ready to give up the gun.

From primary to university level, Libya’s national curriculum is now being cleansed of Gaddafi’s far-reaching influence.

Since the Ben Ali regime was toppled in January, fortunes for women and Islamists in Tunisia appear to be changing.

In a country with no tradition of democracy, thousands of NGOs are working together to ensure a fair democratic election.

HIV is spreading among Afghanistan’s injection drug users, and a methadone clinic was recently opened in Kabul to help the problem.

Afghanistan is waging a new tenacious battle against drug addiction. But as Don Duncan now reports, one epidemic, in heroin addiction, has led to another, in HIV, and the war-torn country is struggling to contain both.

The “Arab Spring” kicked off in Tunisia with the overthrow of strongman Ben Ali. But many worry about what’s next; there’s fear that either Ben Ali supporters might hijack the fledgling democracy. Don Duncan reports from Tunis.

Civil unrest sends another Arab King scrambling. His daddy was a survivor. Is King Abdullah his father's son?

Analysts said Syria would never see an uprising the kinds of which happened in Egypt and Tunisia, but Syrian youth have sparked a growing protest to President Bachar al-Assad's regime.

Protests in Jordan are, in large part, over the country's ailing economy, and specifically the growing gap there between rich and poor. Don Duncan sent us this report from Amman.

In Jordan, another key US ally on the border with Israel, protests are, in large part, about the country's competing public and private sectors. Don Duncan has more from Amman.

A rush for natural gas is kicking off in the eastern Mediterranean. Recently, Israel discovered an enormous natural gas field. Lebanon believes it may also have significant natural gas reserves off its coast and it has a very compelling reason to kick-start exploration.

With extensive rail networks and tramways, Lebanon used to be at the cutting edge of public transportation in the Middle East in the first half of the 20th century. But then came the lorry and car.

Most images coming out of Afghanistan are war-related. But as Don Duncan reports from Kabul, the kite games offer a chance for everyone, no matter how poor, to have some fun for a few hours each evening.

For decades, the pictures coming out of Afghanistan have been dominated by war, corruption and carnage. But there's a more colorful picture to be found there - kites. Kite running isn't just the stuff of fiction – it's a staple of the Afghan evening sky.

Hard-core crypt crawlers take exception to the teen tomb tourists partying in their playground under Paris.

Some people say it was the most crucial day of a most crucial year. Don Duncan reports from Kabul.

Paris may be the most visited city in the world but there are parts of it few have ever seen – underground. “The Catacombs” began as vast underground limestone quarries. Today they are the playground of the bold and the brave. Don Duncan brings us below the surface of the City of Light.

The new music trend among young Palestinians is hip-hop. Palestinians have been scattered across the Middle East for more than six decades, and hip-hop music provides a venue for expressing commonalities as well as differences.

In Britain, there's a report out on the investigation of the 1972 Bloody Sunday shootings in Northern Ireland Catholic demonstrators dead. Don Duncan has more from Belfast.

Don Duncan reports that after two years of construction, Hezbollah opened its first museum late last month in Lebanon

Some Palestinians are seizing on video technology, hoping to make it their new weapon in the struggle with Israel.

And it's given rise to a fledgling industry that may be growing some serious filmmakers, as we hear from Irish journalist Don Duncan in the Palestinian village of Ni'lin.

Thousands are marching through the streets of Beirut today. It is Lebanon's first march demanding an end to sectarianism in the country. Don Duncan has more from Beirut.

Don Duncan reports the international community regards east Jerusalem and the West Bank as occupied territory, but this has not stopped Israel from building settlements

Don Duncan reports on growing tensions between Lebanon and Israel along the "Blue Line."

More details are emerging following the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines flight shortly after take off from Beirut yesterday morning, carrying 90 people. Today, Lebanese officials said the crash could be due to the airplane's pilots' failure to follow orders from the control tower. Don Duncan has more from Beirut.

Small hotels flourish in Damascus : The "Old City" of Damascus, Syria, was once a run-down slum. Now foreign tourists are flocking to the ancient, walled quarter with its historic buildings. And their business has prompted a boom in boutique hotels. Don Duncan reports.

When it comes to tracking and monitoring the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, some say the Middle East is at once the least worrying and the most mystifying area. It has the lowest reported infection rates in the world: most countries there have an infection rate of below 1 percent of the population.

Deutsche Welle takes a look at how Lebanon is moving away from the larger Middle East model, as the country's once underground gay community is gaining strength and voice.

Landmines and cluster bombs are especially insidious weapons. One region particularly afflicted by these is southern Lebanon. In the hills and mountains there, teams of de-miners struggle to find and disarm landmines while down in the city of Saida, the world's first football team made up of landmine survivors meets weekly to kick ball.

Beirut's alternative music scene has abandoned English and French, reclaiming Arabic in the past few years. Now some are trying to bring the trend global and it's not going down well with everyone in Beirut...

[11'14]

It’s been over three months since Lebanon held its elections and the politically divided country is is still struggling to name a cabinet that meets with consensus from all political camps. [4'23]

[4'15] Transport in Beirut is a challenge. Traffic is heavy and options few. But if you're a woman it can be even harder.

[3'51] Don Duncan reports the taxi service started three months ago and has now doubled its fleet of pink cars.

[3'42] At the end of Lebanon's civil war, a series of laws was introduced to improve prospects for female entrepreneurs. Lebanese women have been playing catch-up to their male counterparts ever since. Now there is an emerging sector of services by women, for women. Don Duncan reports.

[6'54] Last year, Bhutan successfully transitioned to democracy but not all people living in Bhutan are happy with the way things are going. There is growing unrest among ethnic Nepalese living in Bhutan which could turn violent soon.

[1'15] Police in Northern Ireland arrested two men today in connection with last night's killing of a police office. Don Duncan has more from Dublin.

[2'00] Like many city workers, a street busker may be able to drive to the job. But factor in an ever-changing final destination, an amp and a dog, and you've got quite a shlep. We follow a busker in Ireland on his way to work

[4'14] The small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan became the world's newest democracy last year. But now, a dark aspect of the country's recent past is coming back to haunt it and it has produced what may be the country's first security threat since making the transition.

[5'15] The tiny Himalayan nation has a lot to celebrate this year: Bhutan successfully transitioned to Democracy in March, its monarchy is celebrating a centenary, and a fresh-faced, charismatic new king ascended to the throne last month promising a new era of democracy and equity throughout the country. But with the emergence of democracy in Bhutan, cracks of discontent are beginning to show in the walls of this little-known Shangri-La.

[3'21]
An estimated 300,000 Palestinians have found their way to Lebanon, where they make up 10% of the population. Many have trouble finding jobs and buying property, so they're left to find economic advantages where they can. Don Duncan reports.

[4'27]
Don Duncan reports from Lebanon, where Irish troops were among the first on the scene of a deadly roadside bomb attack on UNIFIL troops near the Israeli border last week

[3'20]
A feature for the Breakfast Show on how Obama's campaign has fron on the internet generation.

[4'30]
In a new report, Israel's Comptroller blamed the government and army for failing to protect civilians during the 2006 war with Lebanon. Meanwhile, last month's killing of six Spanish soldiers in southern Lebanon is changing the dynamics of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force. Don Duncan reports.

[5'58]
Don Duncan reports on the misery endured by Palestinian refugees in camps in Lebanon

[5'16]
For RTE news (Ireland)
Don Duncan reports from New York on the Iranian President's appearance in Columbia University

[2'25]
Irish tourism to the U.S. is thriving, thanks to a weak dollar and Ireland's fast-growing economy. Don Duncan reports from New York City, where many of the 300,000 Irish have come around the holidays for just one thing.

[4'25]
Don Duncan speaks to UN soldiers at the Finn-Irish camp deployed to mediate between Hezbollah and Israel

[5'16]
Don Duncan reports that last year's spillage is one of many ecological problems still facing Lebanon

[4'05]
Package for Newstalk radio, Ireland

[3'59]
Don Duncan reports that Brian Keenan is putting the last of his demons to rest in Lebanon

[3'30]
Feature on Irish politicking in Brooklyn

[4'39]
Don Duncan reports that the ferris wheel on the seafront has become an unlikely source of comfort for the people of the city

[3'50]
Package on the musical for the Breakfast Show on Newstalk

[3'33]
Don Duncan reports from Beirut on the indications of an improving economy in the conflict-torn country