Iran says 13 ISIS affiliates arrested for planning suicide attacks ISIS’ Khorasan branch has conducted numerous attacks against Iran in recent years, prompting authorities to pursue its members. Iran
US Syria envoy Barrack says troop drawdown to continue, support for Kurds to remain Trump’s ambassador to Ankara told a Turkish TV news outlet that American troops will eventually draw down to a single base in Syria, but that Washington is unlikely to abandon the Kurdish-led forces. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey, Syria, Jordan launch anti-ISIS ops center in Damascus: What to know The coordination unit began operations on May 19 in Damascus as the Turkish president accused the SDF of stalling on an integration deal with Damascus. Turkey
Turkey’s intel chief Kalin makes surprise visit to Syria, meets Sharaa Kalin's visit comes as a Turkish delegation arrives in Washington to discuss sanctions relief on Syria with the Trump administration. Turkey
Feature Nightlife rocks Raqqa as Syria’s Islamist leaders navigate power By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive Syria's Kurds say Trump aid cuts are feeding radicalism in ISIS camps By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Netanyahu set to meet Trump amid differences over Iran, tariffs and Turkey: What to know United States
Against all odds, Yazidi girl outlives her top-ranking Islamic State captors Sipan Ajo, a 22-year-old Yazidi survivor from Kocho, emerged six months ago from seven years of captivity in Syria and has described her ordeal in detail to a journalist for the first time. Iraq
Family ties fuel Islamic State to rebel pipeline in northern Syria The stories of fighters who turned from the Islamic State to Syria's rebel opposition forces show the how kinship ties, regionalism, and material concerns often trump ideology in the Syrian war. Syria
Yazidis react to killing of Islamic State leader The death of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, who committed war crimes against the Yazidi community in Sinjar and supervised the Sinjar genocide in which thousands of Yazidis were killed, sparked varied reactions among Yazidis. Syria
Border crossings and foreign fighters rise after Taliban takeover A recent UN report and other worrying signs point to a likely surge in both an al-Qaeda and Islamic State presence in Afghanistan in the six months since the Taliban has been in power. Iran
UNESCO makes progress in reconstruction of Mosul monuments Paris-based UNESCO Chief Audrey Azoulay will travel to Mosul in March, to officially launch the second phase of the reconstruction of Mosul monuments destroyed under the Islamic State takeover. Iraq
Analysis The Takeaway: Differences persist as clock ticks on Vienna talks Islamic State and Turkey; HTS's role in Islamic State leader's killing; Iran's message for Iraq; Gaza's dangerous landfills; Egypt's climate action; and more. By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti , Joe Snell
Islamic State collaborators received Turkish citizenship, official report shows A leaked report has revealed details about how the jihadi group used Turkey to traffic money and obtain supplies. Turkey
Islamic State kills Iraqi forces in sparsely populated Anbar desert Attacks and unexploded ordnance continue to reap victims in Iraq’s vast western desert as security officials deny increased risks associated with a massive recent jailbreak across the border. Iraq
Analysis Islamic State still 'global operation,' says Pentagon report Islamic State leader's killing prompted questions on Turkey's role; our reporting from Idlib, Syria. By Week in Review
US raid raises questions on Turkey’s commitment vs. Islamic State The Islamic State leader’s hideout a stone’s throw away from Turkey's border and Syrian Democratic Forces involvement in the raid have raised fresh questions over Ankara’s fight against the Islamic State. Turkey
After Qurayshi's death, who are Mideast's most wanted terrorists? Following the death of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraysh, here's a look at what Middle East terrorists remain at large. Syria
Iraq tightens Syria border control after massive IS jailbreak Measures have been stepped up along the border with Syria in the now-defunct Islamic State leader’s native province to prevent hundreds of prison escapees from slipping across. Iraq
