Dec 03 WATCH: Ash Carter calls homegrown terrorists ‘losers with a keyboard’ By Larisa Epatko Defense Secretary Ash Carter defended the military’s approach to fighting the Islamic State group, saying the military is looking for every possible way to attack and defeat the militants whose ideology is appealing to “losers with a keyboard” in the… Continue reading
Dec 02 Kerry says NATO members ready to step up anti-Islamic State fight By Bradley Klapper, Associated Press BRUSSELS — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that NATO members stood ready to step up military efforts against the Islamic State and held out hope of broadening cooperation between the West and Russia to end Syria's protracted… Continue reading
Nov 24 U.S. and France stand together against ‘barbaric’ terrorist group By Larisa Epatko President Barack Obama said Tuesday with French President Francois Hollande at his side that the two countries are united in the fight against the Islamic State group. "Today we stand with you. Nous sommes tous Francais."… Continue reading
Nov 23 6 reads that explain the Islamic State group’s strategy and appeal By Larisa Epatko We've compiled articles that delve into Islamic State jihadists' core beliefs and tactics, and why they attract followers. It all seems to boil down to this: epic battles. Continue reading
Nov 17 What do Afghans think about the Islamic State? By Larisa Epatko The Islamic State militant group apparently doesn’t need a footprint in Afghanistan for ordinary Afghans to feel its effects. Continue reading
Nov 16 Background Briefing: What is the Islamic State? By Council on Foreign Relations The self-proclaimed Islamic State is a militant movement that has conquered territory in western Iraq and eastern Syria. Find out more in this backgrounder. Continue reading
Nov 13 World news quiz: Winning in Myanmar and a festival of lights By Larisa Epatko This week, Myanmar held its first free elections in 25 years and an Islamic State killer was targeted in a U.S. airstrike. Test your knowledge of these international events and more in our 5-minute quiz. Continue reading
Nov 12 Kerry: Islamic State militants ‘embodiment of evil in our time’ By Larisa Epatko Secretary of State John Kerry described on Thursday the United States' gradual effort to build coalitions and transition out Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kerry said Assad’s intractable civil war gave rise to the Islamic State group, which he called the… Continue reading
Oct 09 Pentagon to end Syrian rebel training program By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press LONDON — The U.S. will change the failed Syrian rebel training program to focus efforts on working with capable Kurdish and other forces in Syria, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Friday. Continue reading
Oct 07 U.S. not cooperating with Russia against Islamic State, Carter says By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press ROME — U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday the U.S.-led coalition has not agreed to cooperate with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State and no collaboration is possible as long as Moscow continues to strike other targets. Continue reading