Editor’s Picks

Popular Mobilization Force reform in Iraq: Reintegration or consolidation of militia power?

Mahdi's plan to reform the Popular Mobilization Units will either reduce the risk from militias or dangerously consolidate their power in Iraq, Michael Knights says

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New Syrian military councils are the SDF’s latest push for decentralization

Military councils in Tal Abyad, Kobane, Tabqa, Raqqa, Qamishli and al-Hol are part of the SDF’s transition to a “new organizational structure” in northeast Syria

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Iran shoots down US RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone

Iran said it had shot down a US surveillance drone that violated its airspace near the Strait of Hormuz

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Raqqa security deteriorates as US drawdown threatens northern Syria stability

The drawdown of US troops from Syria has made Coalition allies’ sustained commitment to the counter-ISIS mission significantly more difficult

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Islamic State puts the Sahel in West Africa – for now

Islamic State recently began to attribute attacks in the Sahel to its West Africa Province affiliate. Robert Postings asks: what does this mean for Islamic State in the Greater Sahara?

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Nigeria: Islamic State claims Gubio military base attack, releases ISWAP propaganda video

ISIS claimed ISWAP militants stormed a Nigerian military base in Gubio, Borno state, and released a video of attacks and the execution of nine people

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An education in Islamic State extremism

In its proto-state, Islamic State focused on education to indoctrinate children through textbooks that glorified violence

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Foreign fighter returnees in prison: Meting out justice or building up ISIS cadres?

Former foreign fighters could leave prison as reinforcement cadres for ISIS, ready to fulfill Baghdadi’s threats of future attacks, Dr. Elena Pokalova says

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Islamic State recognizes new Central Africa Province, deepening ties with DR Congo militants

New video from ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi confirms Islamic State Central Africa ties to DR Congo militants

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Sri Lanka police find explosives at ISIS video location

Sri Lanka's security forces found bomb-making materials in a raid on the location where they believe suicide bombers recorded a video later released by ISIS

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