Sep 17 U.S. accepts Russia’s offer to hold military talks on Syria By Matthew Lee, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Amid increasing unease and uncertainty over Russia's intentions, the Obama administration plans to accept an offer from Russia for direct talks on its military buildup in Syria that U.S. officials believe is aimed at propping up Syrian President… Continue reading
Aug 24 U.N. calls destruction of 2,000-year-old temple a war crime By Amanda Gomez The chief of the United Nation's cultural agency has described the Islamic State’s destruction of Baalshamin, a nearly 2,000 year-old temple in Palmyra, as a “war crime.”… Continue reading
Aug 19 Islamic State group beheads prominent archaeologist in Syria By Larisa Epatko Islamic State militants reportedly beheaded a prominent archaeologist in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria, and put his body on display. Continue reading
Aug 13 Kurdish fighters ‘confused’ by U.S. allegiance with Turkey By Larisa Epatko Syrian Kurdish forces have taken control of wide swaths of land in northern Syria from Islamic State militants, but a new offensive by the Turkish government against their compatriots along the Turkish border has complicated their alliance with the United… Continue reading
Aug 05 Muslim cleric in Britain charged with supporting Islamic State militants By Larisa Epatko Anjem Choudary, a British-born Muslim cleric, is one of two men charged in England with inviting support for Islamic State militants on Wednesday. Continue reading
Jun 26 Death toll rises, arrest made in terror attacks that rattled three countries By News Desk An arrest was made Saturday in connection with two of the three terror attacks carried out on Friday in Kuwait, Tunisia and France. Continue reading
Jun 24 With policy shift, hostage family hopes to be last ‘that fails to receive’ government support By Larisa Epatko President Barack Obama announced a retooled hostage policy aimed at correcting the sense many families have that the government has let them down, he said Wednesday. One hostage family responds. Continue reading
Jun 17 Carter: Iraqi training goal to fall short by 17,000 recruits By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The effort to train Iraqi forces to fight Islamic State militants has been slowed by a lack of recruits and the U.S. will not meet its goal to train 24,000 by this fall, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said… Continue reading
Jun 16 Ret. Gen. Allen: Population in liberated Syrian town still needs protecting By Larisa Epatko The fight against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq will be a tough slog, but forces have made some progress, including cutting off a key supply route to the militants’ self-proclaimed capital Raqqa in Syria, said retired Gen. George… Continue reading
Jun 16 Is U.S. losing to Islamic State group’s social media appeal? General says no By Larisa Epatko Despite reports saying the United States has an uphill climb in countering the Islamic State group’s propaganda on social media, retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen said Tuesday, “I don’t agree with the broad characterization that we’re losing” the war… Continue reading