Tag: Syria

Rebel fighters portrayed the ceasefire as a small victory, but it may also alleviate pressure on pro-Assad forces. (Nabaa Media, via AP)

National Security

Syria announces ceasefire in southwest Syria

Joel Gehrke · June 17, 2017 6:22 pm

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is tasked with defending a military plan that falls far short of the vision President Trump once sold. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)

Trump gives Mattis authority over troop levels in Afghanistan

Daniel Chaitin · June 14, 2017 12:40 am

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly told Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday that the attacks are unacceptable in a call initiated by American diplomats. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

National Security

Russia warns US about another strike against pro-government forces in Syria

Kyle Feldscher · June 10, 2017 10:43 pm

The drone dropped what turned out to be a "dud munition," but still had other armaments when it was shot down. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

National Security

Pentagon dances around whether it shot down an Iranian drone

Jamie McIntyre · June 9, 2017 6:51 pm

Every time Iranian agents kill or repress Sunnis, Sunni jihadist groups like the Islamic State benefit. Iran's malfeasance allows the Islamic State to sell the message: "Join us or live in slavery." (SANA via AP)

Beltway Confidential

In Syria, Iran and the Islamic State are mutually dependent

Tom Rogan · June 8, 2017 8:11 pm

The U.S. shot down an armed drone and bombed pro-Assad forces on the ground who have violated a U.S.-declared de-confliction zone in southern Syria, a U.S. military spokesman said. The drone dropped a munition and it still had other armaments on it when it was shot down by a U.S. warplane. (AP Photo, File)

National Security

US shoots down armed drone, bombs pro-regime forces in Syria

Jamie McIntyre · June 8, 2017 4:36 pm

Masoud Barzani, president of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, made a major Twitter announcement earlier today: The region will hold an independence referendum on Sept. 25. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Beltway Confidential

What will the Kurdish independence referendum mean for Iraq and the rest of the Middle East?

Tom Rogan · June 7, 2017 7:24 pm

The U.S. military has determined that an airstrike in Aleppo, Syria, in March killed members of al Qaeda, not civilians. (Defense Department photo)

National Security

March airstrike in Syria killed al Qaeda, not civilians, US military investigation finds

Jamie McIntyre · June 7, 2017 5:17 pm

Gunmen attacked the Iranian Parliament and the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran, Iran, killing at least 12 people and wounding many others. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Beltway Confidential

Iran under attack: What to expect

Tom Rogan · June 7, 2017 3:39 pm

The U.S. had also dropped leaflets in recent days, warning the forces they were inside a well-established de-confliction zone, and needed to retreat. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

National Security

US bombs Iranian-backed forces in Syria after they ignored warnings

Jamie McIntyre · June 6, 2017 6:44 pm

Qatar is one of the U.S. military's most stalwart allies, providing a sprawling, state-of-the art air base for U.S. forces. (Air Force photo)

Trump’s Qatar tweets put Pentagon in a box

Jamie McIntyre · June 6, 2017 5:24 pm

National Security

US-backed Syrian fighters begin push to liberate Raqqa

Jamie McIntyre · June 6, 2017 11:11 am