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
Thousands turn out in Iran for burial of soldier beheaded by IS An Iranian soldier who was killed in Syria in August received a large public funeral in Iran. Iran
Soccer returns to Mosul after three-year ban After three years of being banned by the Islamic State, soccer returns to the city of Mosul, yet facilities remain in dire need of repair. Iraq
Anbar op aims to restore Iraqi-Syrian border Iraqi security forces launched an offensive in Anbar province in early September to cleanse the key Islamic State-held town of Qaim on the Syrian border. Iraq
Opening Homs-Hama road proving tricky for all sides in Syria Conflicting reports about the opening of the Homs-Hama road have been issued as both the Syrian regime and opposition look to leverage the strategic route. Syria
Can Egypt’s Al-Azhar fight extremism through 'e-fatwas'? Al-Azhar Fatwa Global Center launched a new website to answer questions about fatwas in a bid to fight extremist thought, which analysts believe is a far-fetched goal. Egypt
US faces WWII-scale explosives cleanup in Iraq after Islamic State fight Cleaning up the booby traps that IS fighters have left all over the country will take many years and millions of dollars. Iraq
Congress rejects growing effort to replace 2001 war authorization The US Senate today took up the post-9/11 military mandate for the first time since its enactment 16 years ago. United States
Iran claims it foiled major IS plot ahead of holy month Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it has arrested an Islamic State member who was allegedly organizing 300 terrorists in the country for various attacks during the holy month of Muharram. Iran
Saudi-Iranian rapprochement remains mirage Despite talk of an impending rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, facts on the ground suggest that reconciliation is not yet on the horizon. Saudi Arabia
Don’t let Islamic State slip the noose in Syria As Russia beefs up its offensive in Syria, the situation there looks promising, but it’s time for Moscow and Washington to cooperate in a final push to eliminate the Islamic State. Syria
Shiite iconography electrifies Iranians on Syria The beheading of an Iranian fighter on the Syrian frontier is proving to be a watershed moment in the Iranian public’s view of the country’s military intervention in Syria. Syria
Hundreds of Russian children found in Mideast orphanages Children ripped from their homes in Russia and secreted off by relatives said to be fighting for the Islamic State are now turning up abandoned in the Middle East. Iraq
