Hundreds of U.S. diplomats stuck in limbo months after Middle East evacuations

NPR | By Michele Kelemen

Published August 15, 2026 at 7:40 AM EDT

Hundreds of U.S. diplomats remain in limbo, months after they were evacuated from the Middle East, as the war with Iran drags on.

Michele Kelemen

A former NPR Moscow bureau chief, Michele Kelemen now covers the State Department. Her reports can be heard on all NPR News programs — from Morning Edition to All Things Considered.

See stories by Michele Kelemen

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

From cockpit to catwalk with aviation icon Amelia Earhart

Clare Lombardo

Amelia Earhart was famous as an early aviatrix. Her flight suit is part of a bigger story about the history of American fashion and celebrity.
Pentagon replaces USS Abraham Lincoln in Middle East following historic deployment

Tom Bowman, Eyder Peralta

Families of crew members aboard the USS Lincoln have put pressure on the Pentagon to address problems that have cropped up during the aircraft carrier's record-breaking 250-day deployment.
Silvio Rodríguez: Singing Cuba's history from revolutionary triumphs to modern protests

Eyder Peralta

From its triumphant revolution to the decay of today, singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez has chronicled Cuba's history.
Shh… Action! Modern Silent Shorts brings live music and dialogue-free film to New York

Contemporary silent films are touring around the New York area this summer as part of Modern Silent Shorts.
Saturday Sports: Lakers sale; WNBA and transgender athletes; White Sox 'Pope night'

Eyder Peralta

NPR's Eyder Peralta and sports reporter Michele Steele discuss the sale of the L.A. Lakers, the WNBA's handling of player remarks on transgender athletes and "Pope night" for the Chicago White Sox.