Iraq
Obama disses Kurdish ‘partners’ against ISIS
Obama's Pentagon speech on his strategy against ISIS boasted of "effective partners on the ground"—but pointedly made no actual reference to the Rojava Kurds.
Tag: politics of archaeology
Iraq
UNESCO sees ISIS war crimes at heritage sites
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee warned that extremist groups' destruction of antiquities and heritage sites in conflict zones could amount to war crimes.
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.
Greater Middle East
Nuclear strike in Yemen? No, but the truth is bad
Conspiranoid websites air disturbing footage of a huge mushroom cloud exploding near Yemen's capital—apparently an under-reported air-strike on a weapons depot.
Greater Middle East
ISIS blows up Syrian prison at Palmyra
ISIS militants blew up the Tadmur prison complex at Palmyra—a move protested by Syria's civil resistance as destroying evidence of the Assad regime's crimes there.
Greater Middle East
Syria: Nusra Front announces drive on Damascus
Islamist rebels led by al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front have seized new territory in northwestern Syria, and issued a pledge to take Damascus and topple the regime.
Greater Middle East
ISIS in Palmyra: lives versus archaeology?
As the world awaits ISIS destruction of the archaeological treasures of Palmyra, human rights groups are raising the alarm over the fate of the city's civilian inhabitants.
Palestine
Israeli court approves Bedouin land confiscation
Separate Israeli Supreme Court decisions open the way for authorities to forcibly evict residents of two Arab villages—one on the West Bank, and one in the Negev.
Iraq
ISIS advances on Palmyra archaeological site
ISIS forces are advancing on the ancient city of Palmyra, a UN World Heritage Site, where it is feared they will carry on their destruction of the region's archaeological treasures.
Iraq
ISIS franchise: Nigeria to Yemen to Pakistan
Over the past two months, the ISIS international franchise has made gains from West Africa to the Indian subcontinent, with militants in several countries proclaiming for the "caliphate."
Iraq
Cultural legacy lost as ISIS torches Mosul library
Many rare and antique volumes were lost as ISIS forces put the Mosul library to the torch—over vociferous pleas and protests from the city's notables.
Central America
Panama: Barro Blanco dam construction suspended
After years of controversy, Panama's government has ordered a temporary halt to the building of a dam opposed by local indigenous communities.