Syria

Syria: gas attacks, air-strikes and hypocrisy

Trump, whose own air-strikes have killed hundreds, decides he must bomb an Assad air-base to retaliate for a gas attack—while the “anti-war” left is undisturbed by the gas attack.

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.

Greater Middle East

Russia to establish base in Syrian Kurdistan

The Kurdish YPG militia says it has agreed to establishment of a Russian military base in its territory, although Moscow calls it a "reconciliation center."

Iraq

US prepares ground troops for Syria

The Pentagon is dispatching some 2,500 combat troops to back up forces fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, as the US-led anti-ISIS coalition continues to fracture.

Greater Middle East

UN to investigate Turkey over detained judge

The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals referred Turkey to the UN Security Council for detention of a judge on suspicion of involvement in last year's coup attempt.

Iraq

Multiple forces hit ISIS on all fronts

US, Iraqi, Kurdish, Turkish and Syrian rebel forces are closing the ring around ISIS—but in an uneasy alliance, with little plan for the future of seized territories.