Militant Hideout in Afghan Capital Shows Security Woes

The Associated Press Feb 2, 2018 The revelation that militants were operating in a western district of Kabul follows a recent series of attacks that have killed nearly 200 people and wounded hundreds more. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The New Pentagon Business Model

Gareth Porter / Truthout Jan 29, 2018 Low U.S. casualties are crucial to the approach because most Americans do not favor permanent war. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Fading Islamic State Lashes Out in Syria, Killing Hundreds of Civilians

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 24, 2017 In the face of advancing government forces, the Islamic State group in Syria is going back to its roots as a small terrorist organization. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Syrian Troops Breach Three-Year Islamic State Siege

By Bassem Mroue / AP Sep 5, 2017 The breach ends a humanitarian crisis for the estimated 70,000 people in Deir el-Zour who survived on erratic air drops of food and supplies. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Economic Forces Drive the Youths Joining Terrorist Groups in Syria

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Aug 5, 2017 Study: Most young Muslim fighters lack “basic understanding of the true meaning of Jihad" or even the Islamic faith. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Burning Raqqa: Inside the U.S. War Against Civilians in Syria

By Laura Gottesdiener / TomDispatch Jul 28, 2017 The U.S. is focusing its energies—and warplanes—in areas of eastern Syria occupied by Islamic State. Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

The Folly of the Next ‘Surge’ in Afghanistan

By Danny Sjursen / TomDispatch Jul 4, 2017 With Donald Trump's generals considering renewed action, a U.S. Army strategist recalls his time in Afghanistan in 2011. Dig deeper ( 12 Min. Read )

Islamic State Blows Up Historic Nuri Mosque in Mosul

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jun 22, 2017 The militant group claims the United States struck the site, but the U.S. Air Force denies it bombed that part of the Iraqi city. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Can the U.S. Establish a ‘Deconfliction’ With Russia in Syria?

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jun 20, 2017 Tensions are high after the Air Force shot down a Syrian warplane, leading Russia to announce it may shoot down any U.S. aircraft operating in western Syria. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Tillerson-Trump Rumble Over Qatar Shows White House Divisions

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jun 10, 2017 The U.S. has two foreign policies: that of the former ExxonMobil CEO who is an old Middle East hand, and that of a Queens real estate mogul who became president. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Capturing the Chaos of the Syrian Civil War

Staff / Truthdig Jun 9, 2017 Truthdig columnist Jordan Riefe and Deputy Editor Kasia Anderson sat down with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Sebastian Junger and Emmy-nominated producer Nick Quested to discuss their latest documentary, "Hell on Earth," which reveals the carnage of the war. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Let’s Commemorate Victims of Islamic State Attacks in Baghdad and Manchester

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment May 31, 2017 To combat the terrorist group, we must see what it is doing -- not just in Europe but in the Middle East. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )