U.S. Troops Leaving Syria for Iraq, Not Home as Trump Claims

LOLITA C. BALDOR / The Associated Press Oct 20, 2019 The United States will continue Mideast operations against Islamic State, according to plans outlined by Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Blast at Afghan Mosque Kills 62 at Prayer

RAHIM FAIEZ / The Associated Press Oct 18, 2019 The violence comes a day after a United Nations report said that Afghan civilians are dying in record numbers in the country's increasingly brutal war. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Trump Has ‘Meltdown’ in Syria Meeting With Democrats

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Oct 16, 2019 After 354-60 House vote denouncing president's troop withdrawal, Trump calls Nancy Pelosi a "third-rate politician," prompting walkout. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Trump Orders Turkey Sanctions as U.S. Scrambles for Syria Exit

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Oct 14, 2019 The president says he is halting trade negotiations and raising steel tariffs in an effort to restrain the Turks' assault on Kurdish fighters. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

U.S. Begins Possible Full Withdrawal From Northern Syria

ROBERT BURNS / The Associated Press Oct 13, 2019 The pullout comes despite growing chaos, cries of betrayal and signs that Turkey's invasion could fuel a broader war. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Trump’s Syria Policy Could Be a Gift to ISIS

Juan Cole / Truthdig Oct 9, 2019 As a result of the turmoil the U.S. and Turkey are causing in the region, 12,000 Islamic State fighters in containment camps could escape. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The Domino Effect of Trump’s Syria Withdrawal

Vijay Prashad and E. Ahmet Tonak / Independent Media Institute Oct 7, 2019 By removing U.S. troops from Rojava, the president is inviting ethnic cleansing in the region and, perhaps, a greater conflict with Iran. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

As Impeachment Looms, GOP Revolts Against Trump on Syria

STEVE PEOPLES / The Associated Press Oct 7, 2019 Sen. Lindsey Graham calls it "a disaster"; other Republicans express deep concerns, and Syria's Kurds accuse the U.S. of turning its back on allies. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Trump Is Inviting Genocide in Northern Syria

Juan Cole / Truthdig Oct 7, 2019 The White House says Turkey is planning to invade the Kurdish-majority region of northern Syria to establish what Ankara calls a “security zone.” Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Syria Demands Withdrawal of All U.S., Turkish Forces

AYA BATRAWY and EDITH M. LEDERER / The Associated Press Sep 28, 2019 Speaking at the U.N., Syria's top diplomat says his government reserves the right to defend its territory in any way necessary. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Facebook Still Auto-Generates Islamic State, al-Qaida Pages

DESMOND BUTLER and BARBARA ORTUTAY / The Associated Press Sep 18, 2019 A whistleblower's complaint shows that the platform inadvertently provides the groups with a networking and recruitment tool. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Taliban Negotiators Go to Moscow After Trump Declares Talks ‘Dead’

KATHY GANNON and JIM HEINTZ / The Associated Press Sep 13, 2019 Russia has been accused of aiding the group as a safeguard against an Islamic State affiliate with ties to a militant group in Central Asia. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )