In Trump meeting, Iraq PM says US troops to withdraw by Sept. 30 The White House appeared to support a deadline to remove remaining American counter-ISIS troops from Iraq, but security concerns among Washington's Kurdish partners and US business firms remain. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
At least 6 killed, 22 wounded in Damascus cafe explosion: What to know Syrian authorities have yet to identify a perpetrator in relation to the incident, and armed groups opposing the transitional government did not immediately take credit. Syria
Turkey captures alleged ISIS-K media chief near Afghanistan-Pakistan border The capture comes as Turkish authorities intensify raids against Islamic State networks following recent attacks and alleged plots. Turkey
Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict. Syria
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Intel: US, Italy to co-host virtual meeting of anti-IS coalition Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Italian counterpart, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, will co-host a virtual meeting for members of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State on June 4, the State Department announced today. Iraq
Coalition airstrike kills Islamic State leader in eastern Syria, Iraq says Mu'taz Numan 'Abd Nayif Najm al-Jaburi was killed in a coalition-led airstrike, Iraq's intelligence services said. Iraq
Intel: Top adviser signals Biden would keep troops in Syria as leverage Under a Joe Biden presidency, the United States would retain a military presence in northeast Syria as leverage against the regime, the presumptive Democratic nominee’s top foreign policy adviser suggests. Syria
In shadow of COVID-19, US-led battle against Islamic State continues A Pentagon report declares the Islamic State a "low-level insurgency" as the United States and Iraq prepare for strategic dialogue. Iraq
Islamic State believed behind crop fires in Iraq's disputed territories The Islamic State is suspected of once again setting fire to farmland in the disputed Iraqi-Kurdish territories. Iraq
Intel: US sanctions squeezing Iranian forces in Syria, says US envoy Cash-strapped Iran is reining in some of its forces in Syria as a result of American sanctions, US envoy James Jeffrey said today. Syria
Intel: Iraq’s Peshmerga Ministry pushes for joint security talks with Baghdad The Peshmerga Ministry of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region said it will send a delegation to Baghdad to discuss security cooperation and the situation in the disputed territories. Iraq
Press freedom watchdog criticizes suspension of Kurdish reporter in northeast Syria Rudaw's Vivian Fatah was suspended because she did not describe Kurdish fighters who had been killed in Syria as martyrs. Iraq
Iraqi-Syrian desert border area key amid geopolitical tensions Recent security incidents indicate that the Islamic State continues to operate in the Iraqi-Syrian border area despite reduced capabilities. Iraq
Pentagon waiting out coronavirus to invite allies back to Iraq The US commander of Operation Inherent Resolve hopes allied forces will return to Iraq once the COVID-19 crisis subsides. Iraq
Civilian killings in Syria are a ‘ticking time bomb,’ UN commissioner says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned of a "ticking time bomb" in Syria amid an uptick of civilian attacks and human rights violations. Syria
Kurdish and coalition forces target Islamic State in eastern Syria The operation comes at a time of recent IS attacks in Syria and Iraq. Iraq
