Greater Middle East

North Korean troops fight in Syria?

Pro-opposition sources in Syria say a force of North Korean soldiers has arrived in Damascus, and been mobilized to the rebel-controlled suburbs of Ghouta district.

Iran

Iran, world powers reach nuclear agreement

The Iran nuiclear deal comes as the US is in a de facto alliance with Tehran against ISIS, and includes a lifting of sanctions on a notorious commander of counterinsurgency forces in Syria and Iraq.

Greater Middle East

Israel denies backing Nusra after Golan lynching

Druze villagers in the Golan killed a wounded Syrian fighter seized from an IDF ambulance—in mistaken belief he was from Nusra Front, which has massacred Syrian Druze.

Greater Middle East

PKK attack Turkish military base

PKK fighters attacked a military base in eastern Turkey, as the guerilla organization warned that Turkish military intervention against the Syrian Kurds will mean "internal war." 

Greater Middle East

ISIS mounts new attack on Kobani

ISIS, retreating before an advance by Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria, launched a stealth attack on the Kurdish town of Kobani, with a wave of car bombs and random shootings.