Volunteers from MedGlobal work in Turkey following the earthquake. (Courtesy of MedGlobal)

MedGlobal, a humanitarian organization based in Chicago, is composed of 12 physicians who deploy to disaster-struck countries to help in times of need. Most recently, three physicians traveled to both Syria and Turkey to help those affected by the disaster. 

Emergency responders aid in recovery efforts in Turkey. (CNN)

Aid organizations say the next few days are crucial when it comes to rescue operations. One local organization is leading its own emergency response team in Turkey. 

Refugees fell Ukraine after Russian attacks. (CNN)

More than two million people have left Ukraine since the start of Russia’s attack, finding refuge in nearby countries. Nations have opened their borders and hearts to Ukrainians, happily taking them in. It’s a stark difference from 2015, when Europe faced another refugee crisis.

President Donald Trump’s decision to immediately withdraw all U.S. troops from northern Syria has prompted criticism from politicians, military leaders and others. 

President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Attorney General Edwin Meese, in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

Republican U.S. Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois says he no longer supports President Donald Trump after his “terrible and despicable” decision to pull American troops from Syria.

President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Attorney General Edwin Meese, in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

Turkey launched its offensive Wednesday, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announcing on his official Twitter account that the operation had begun. President Trump defended his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northeastern Syria.

In this Wednesday, July 11, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, talks with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as they arrive together for a family photo at a summit of heads of state and government at NATO headquarters in Brussels. (AP Photo / Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

 Facing unusually wide criticism, President Donald Trump sent out strong but conflicting signals on the “endless war” in Syria and Middle East on Monday. 

Author and Northwestern University professor Wendy Pearlman interviewed more than 300 refugees for a new book of oral histories, “We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled.” She joins us in discussion.

After being turned away last week, a Syrian refugee family arrives in Chicago. Will there be a happy ending for the family or could they be turned away again?

Refugees stream out of Aleppo, Syria. (Courtesy of CNN)

As Aleppo falls to Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran, we look at the United States’ role in the conflict and the region.

(Courtesy of Dr. Zaher Sahloul)

Two Chicago-area doctors who recently traveled to Aleppo share their stories.

Over half of all Syrian refugees are children, according to United Nations data

Friday marks Universal Children’s Day, a global recognition of children’s welfare.

Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the top stories of the week, including a Cook County judge's order that the city release a controversial police shooting video, and Gov. Bruce Rauner's announcement to temporarily halt Syrian refugees from resettling in Illinois.

Police and emergency crews respond to terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday.

In the wake of the deadly terror attacks in Paris, many Republican governors are saying they are unwilling to allow Syrian refugees to be settled in their states, among them Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Our panel discusses the refugee crisis and response.

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced on Monday that Illinois is temporarily closing its border to the settlement of Syrian refugees in the wake of the attacks in Paris.

Fatimah Idris

Should the United States and Chicago accept more Syrian refugees, in light of the crisis in Europe? President Obama has put the number at 10,000 but some local officials say it should be much higher. Paris Schutz has the story.