North Africa

ISIS preparing ‘retreat zone’ in Libya?

A UN Security Council report warns that ISIS is preparing a "retreat zone" in Libya as coalition air-strikes threaten the group's territory in Iraq and Syria.

Iraq

Patrick Cockburn serves up more lies on Syria

Patrick Cockburn's "briefing" to the House of Commons opposing British air-strikes on ISIS was a shameful betrayal of the Syrian democratic resistance—denying its very existence.

Greater Middle East

Syria: civil wars in the civil war

A growing split between secular and Islamist elements of the FSA is unfortunately mirrored by a breach between Kurds and Ankara-backed Arab and Turkmen forces.

Greater Middle East

Opening shots of new Russo-Turkish war?

The situation in northern Syria is escalating amid Russo-Turkish brinkmanship, with Turkmen villages coming under intense Russian bombardment.

Greater Middle East

Russian warplane down: heightened contradictions

After Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane over Syria, Vladimir Putin openly accused Ankara of backing ISIS—echoing a charge Kurdish forces have been making for months.

North Africa

Glencore secures Libya oil contract

Global commodities giant Glencore signed a deal with Libya's state oil company—which is now divided into feuding branches loyal to the country's rival regimes.

Greater Middle East

Syria: protests break out in ISIS-held town

Residents of the ISIS-held northern Syrian town of Manbij have held unprecedented protests against jihadist rule, according to activists who got the word out via social media.