Iraq
US betrays Rojava Kurds (inevitably)
Washington has given Turkey a green light to crush the revolutionary Kurds—in Turkey, Syria and Iraq alike—as the price of Ankara's cooperation against ISIS.
Tag: GWOT
Greater Middle East
Israel Lobby schmoozes Sisi —Assad next?
Egypt's dictatorial President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a delegation from the American Jewish Committee to discuss ways to "defeat terrorism" in the region.
Watching the Shadows
Global terror survey sees surging attacks —again
The US State Department finds that the number of "terrorist attacks" around the world rose by a third in 2014, largely due to the expansion of ISIS and Boko Haram.
Greater Middle East
White House criticizes Egypt, supports military aid
The Obama administration sent a report to Congress criticizing Egypt for human rights abuses and lack of progress toward democracy but still supporting $1.3 billion in mostly military aid.
Iraq
ISIS gains ground as diplomats dither
ISIS advanced on Aleppo and launched an offensive on the Syrian Kurdish city of Hassakeh as the US and coalition partners met in Paris. No Kurdish leaders were invited to the summit.
Watching the Shadows
Key provisions of Patriot Act expire
Key provisions of the USA Patriot Act allowing "Bulk Data Collection" and "Roving Wiretaps" expired after a late Senate vote failed to establish an extension.
Syria
US drops Cuba from terrorism list
The US government formally removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as a step toward restoring full diplomatic relations. Cuba had been listed since 1982.
Watching the Shadows
Obama’s sixth year: a World War 4 Report scorecard
World War 4 Report offers its annual annotated assessment of Obama's moves in dismantling, continuing or escalating the apparatus of the Global War on Terrorism.
Watching the Shadows
Senate bill to halt release of Gitmo inmates
A group of US senators led by John McCain proposed legislation that would place a moratorium on the release or transfer of prisoners from Guantánamo Bay.
Europe
UK announces sweeping anti-terrorism bill
The UK Home Secretary announced a new Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill that would expand travel restrictions and Internet surveillance.
Iraq
Global terrorism survey finds surging attacks
A study by UK-based Institute for Economics and Peace finds there were nearly 10,000 terrorist attacks in 2013, 44% more than the year before.
Greater Middle East
Assad plays Kurdish card to divide opposition
The Assad regime dubiously claims to be aiding the Kurdish defenders of ISIS-besieged Kobani—a transparent attempt at an Arab-versus-Kurdish divide-and-rule stratagem.