Syria church bombing raises fears ISIS will exploit Iran-Israel war to gain ground As the Iran-Israel war draws in global powers, security vacuums in Syria may be allowing ISIS to reemerge. Syria
Analysis With latest video, Yemen's AQAP seeks relevance, taps into regional outrage The first video address by Yemeni al-Qaeda leader Saad al-Awlaki follows a decline in clashes between the group and the Iran-backed Houthis in what one expert dubbed a "collaborative arrangement." By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Turkey detains dozens of ISIS suspects in raids tied to Syria-based network A nationwide sweep targeted the group's financial and propaganda networks as Ankara steps up efforts to counter the jihadi extremist group in Syria. Turkey
Iran executes 9 'ISIS militants' amid surge in jihadist extremism: What to know While Iran has long claimed full eradication of the Islamic State through a campaign waged by late general Qasem Soleimani, the country has been grappling with a deadly resurgence of the militant group in recent years. Iran
Interview US believes Syria’s Sharaa at risk of assassination, Trump envoy says Tom Barrack US special envoy for Syria
US Syria envoy Barrack says troop drawdown to continue, support for Kurds to remain By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iraqis divided over continued presence of American forces As Islamic State militias have become active again in different areas of Iraq, the debate over ejecting US forces is on the rise among Iraqi politicians. Iraq
Idlib’s rebels on alert against infiltration by Islamic State The armed groups controlling Idlib remain wary of the prospect of Islamic State militants sneaking into the region, following reports that IS members are seeking safe passage to the province. Iraq
UAE steps up anti-Turkey efforts in Syria The United Arab Emirates engages Turkey in a war of words and deeds over Ankara's fight with Kurds in Syria. United Arab Emirates
IS targets truffle hunters across Sunni regions Many civilians and local security forces have been kidnapped or killed in recent weeks while looking for white truffles, mostly in desert and mountainous areas of Sunni-dominant provinces. Iraq
Iraq bulks up border presence as IS escapees try to enter Iraqi forces have sent reinforcements to the border area and are engaging in nightly artillery strikes on IS positions in eastern Syria ahead of an expected US pullout in the near future. Iraq
What fate awaits Tunisia's returning jihadis? As one of the top countries of origin for foreign IS recruits, Tunisia has struggled to address domestic threats of returning jihadis and how to de-radicalize these youths. Syria
Trump, touting gains over IS, focuses on Syria exit Speaking to diplomats attending a ministerial meeting of the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS today, President Trump said a formal announcement would come next week that 100% of the terror group's territory had been liberated. Syria
Erdogan seeks lifeline from Putin in Syria The Turkish president will discuss Syria with his Russian counterpart in Moscow this coming week, as Qatar's Sheikh Tamim takes spotlight in Beirut. Saudi Arabia
France weighs its Syria presence, cooperation with Russia As the United States leaves Syria, France seeks an appropriate balance between its own military presence, relations with Russia and maneuvering between Turkey and the Kurds. Legacy: Gulf
Rival fiefdoms emerge in scramble over Trump's Syria withdrawal Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton have offered different messages about President Donald Trump’s intentions for a Syria withdrawal. Israel
Can Museum of Raqqa's glory be restored? The Raqqa Civil Council and a local organization have begun restoring the Museum of Raqqa, but it is unclear whether it can reassemble the treasures removed from it during the occupations by Islamic State and the Free Syrian Army. Syria
US-led coalition scrambles to realign Islamic State mission following Syria exit The global coalition is turning its attention to Iraq to avoid a resurgence of the Islamic State. Iraq
