Greater Middle East

Are Rojava Kurds taking the Russian bait?

Syria's Rojava Kurds are accused of coordinating with Russian air-strikes to take territory held by Islamist factions—while Turkey warns them against any further advance.

Greater Middle East

US must choose between Turkey and anti-ISIS fight

The US aids Syrian Kurds against ISIS even as it acquiesces in Turkey's counterinsurgency against allied Kurdish forces just across the border—undermining anti-ISIS unity.

Greater Middle East

Kurds caught in Russo-Turkish game… again

With Turkey insisting that the Syrian Kurds be barred from upcoming Geneva peace talks, Russia is pressing for their participation—while pursuing its grisly campaign of aerial terror.

Africa

AQIM claims Burkina Faso attack

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb  issued a statement saying the Ouagadougou attack was carried out by "mujahideen brothers" of its West African franchise, al-Mourabitoun.

Watching the Shadows

Last Kuwaiti Guantánamo detainee repatriated

The last Kuwaiti held at Guantánamo, supposed Osama bin Laden advisor Faiz Mohammed Ahmed al-Kandari, was repatriated after years of pressure from Kuwait's government. 

Watching the Shadows

Two Guantánamo detainees transferred to Ghana

Two Yemeni men captured in Afghanistan and detained at Guantánamo Bay for 14 years have been released to Ghana, bringing the number held at the facility to 105.

Africa

Mali: who is behind Bamako attack?

The deadly hotel siege in Mali's capital was apparently ordered by Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar—who was twice reported killed in military operations over the past two years.

Watching the Shadows

Last UK detainee released from Gitmo

The last remaining British inmate at Guantánamo Bay, Shaker Aamer, was released to the UK, bringing the number detainees at the facility to 112.

Watching the Shadows

German torture case against CIA official

The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights filed a criminal complaint against a high-ranking CIA official for the torture of German citizen Khaled el-Masri.

Greater Middle East

AKP-ISIS collaboration in Ankara massacre?

Several PKK sympathizers have been arrested in connection with the Ankara suicide blasts—but the Turkish left charges that the ruling AKP collaborated with ISIS in the attack.