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
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