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.

Iraq

Can Assad (and Putin) reconquer all Syria?

Trump dramatically steps up US air-strikes along the Syrian border in Iraq, as Russia pitches the Kurds and Syrian rebels on a peace deal that will allow Assad to remain in power.

Syria

Syria: first joint US-Russian air-strikes?

The Pentagon denied Moscow’s claims of joint US-Russian air-strikes against ISIS, but the White House signalled its willingness to cooperate with Russia in Syria.