Greater Middle East

Yemen and Syria: fearful symmetry

Russian counterinsurgency in Syria mirrors US-backed counterinsurgency in Yemen, betraying superpower rivalry and "cooperation" alike as inimical to the region's revolutions.

Greater Middle East

Growing internationalization of Yemen war

The US fired missiles at Houthi-controlled radar installations in Yemen after the rebels fired rockets at a US destroyer in retaliation for a deadly Saudi air-strike on a funeral.

Iraq

More US troops to Iraq —on whose side?

The Pentagon will send 600 additional troops to Iraq to help in the offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS—but it is unclear if they will be backing Shi'ite, Sunni or Kurdish forces.

Greater Middle East

Global day of ‘Rage for Aleppo’

Protests are reported from more than 30 cities across the world as part of a global day of "Rage for Aleppo" to oppose the siege and bombardment of Syria's largest city.

Afghanistan

UN condemns US drone strike in Afghanistan

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemned an air-strike launched by an unmanned aerial vehicle that struck a civilian home, killing 15 and injuring 13, including a child.

New York City

NYC: Chelsea bombing suspect charged

The suspect in the Chelsea bombings apparently expressed admiration for al-Qaeda and ISIS in his personal journal—which will be exploited by the media and ISIS alike.

Greater Middle East

Syria: genocidal regime troops’ lives matter

With over a quarter million dead in Syria, the UN Security Council finally called an emergency meeting after the US for the first time bombed Assad regime forces—by accident.