Reports reveal ceasefire deal between U.S. and Russia in Syria

Reports reveal ceasefire deal between U.S. and Russia in Syria

A new deal between the US and Russia to enforce a ceasefire in Syria has been reached, with the cessation of hostilities set to come into force on 27 February. The ceasefire, subject to the agreement between the warring parties, would exclude Islamic State, al-Nusra Front and other groups deemed to be terrorist organizations. Skepticism […]

Daesh (ISIS) fighter numbers indicate they are on the defensive

Daesh (ISIS) fighter numbers indicate they are on the defensive

LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. estimates of the number of Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria have been reduced while cuts in their pay are evidence they are on the defensive, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting the group said on Monday. But the task of defeating Islamic State is complicated by Russian air […]

French foreign minister slams Obama over lack of leadership in Middle East

French foreign minister slams Obama over lack of leadership in Middle East

The United States is coming under increasingly bitter criticism for its perceived lack of leadership over Syria as the country’s brutal civil conflict heads toward new levels of intensity. Washington appears unable or unwilling to prevent its ally Turkey from bombing Kurdish fighters inside Syria, its critics say. And it has done little to rein […]

Marine Corps role in Iraq rapidly picking up steam

Marine Corps role in Iraq rapidly picking up steam

The Iraqi army’s recent triumph in Ramadi made it clear that its soldiers aren’t cut from the same cloth as those who ditched their gear and fled in terror from the Islamic State group in 2014 — and Marines have been a pivotal part of that transformation. Hundreds of Marines have been quietly deploying over the past 16 […]

Saudi Arabia hosts multi-national military exercise

Saudi Arabia hosts multi-national military exercise

(CNN) – Saudi Arabia launched a massive military exercise that will include troops from 20 nations, state media reported Monday. The drill, dubbed North Thunder, involves Arab and Muslim countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency. It’s taking place in King Khalid Military City in northeastern Saudi Arabia. The news agency did not provide much […]

Russia hints at potential ‘new world war’

Russia hints at potential ‘new world war’

By Richard Spencer, Middle East Editor, Matthew Holehouse in Brussels and Louisa Loveluck in Gaziantep Russia warned of “a new world war” starting in Syria on Thursday after a dramatic day in which Gulf states threatened to send in ground forces. Foreign and defence ministers of the leading international states backing different factions in the war-torn country met in […]

Turkish President: America let the Middle East turn into “a sea of blood”

Turkish President: America let the Middle East turn into “a sea of blood”

Turkey is a NATO member — and so, by treaty, an American ally. Yet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sure didn’t sound like one on during a Thursday: He blamed the United States for, among other things, turning the Middle East into “a sea of blood.” This all comes back to a big disagreement over one […]

Saudi Arabia to consider special operations troops in Syria

Saudi Arabia to consider special operations troops in Syria

From Reuters Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday held out the possibility of sending Saudi special forces into Syria as part of a U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State. “There is a discussion with regard to a ground force contingent, or a special forces contingent, to operate in Syria by this international U.S.-led coalition […]