Syria

Syria: carnage and betrayal in Raqqa endgame

The US air-lifts Kurdish fighters into ISIS territory in preparation for a final assault on Raqqa—while bombing the city, deepening the growing enmity between Kurds and Arabs.

Iran

Iran: Ahwazi militants blow up pipelines

Ahwazi Arab militants claimed responsibility for two pipeline blasts in Iran's Khuzestan province, amid growing unrest over the ecological impacts of oil exploitation.

Inner Asia

Tibet: climate struggle frontline

Climate change is found to blame for a massive avalanche that killed nine yak-herders in Tibet, as indigenous resistance continues to China's extractive agenda for the region.

North America

Dakota Access pipeline blocked —for now

After weeks of protest, the Army Corps of Engineers denied approval for the last remaining easement needed for the Dakota Access Pipeline—but the company pledges completion.

Planet Watch

Police repression at Dakota Access protest camp

More than 140 were arrested as over 300 riot police backed up with armored vehicles and helicopters cleared the camp erected to block construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Andes

Frog die-off ominous sign for Lake Titicaca

Peru's National Forestry and Wildlife Service is investigating the death of some 10,000 frogs whose bodies have been found in the Río Coata, which flows into Lake Titicaca.