Islamic State Was Overcome Not by Trump or Obama but by Muslims

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 18, 2017 The extremists were defeated by Muslims: That should be the headline. That is what Americans have trouble getting their heads around. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Thanks, Obama!

Nick Anderson / Truthdig Aug 17, 2016 Dig deeper

Islamic State Endgame: Obama to Send 250 More U.S. Troops Into Syria

Juan Cole / Truthdig Apr 26, 2016 President Obama announced Monday morning in Hanover, Germany, that he will send another 250 U.S. troops into Syria, bringing the total to 300. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

If Islamic State Falls Before November, How Will It Affect the U.S. Election?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Apr 12, 2016 GOP front-runner Donald Trump openly attributes his success at the polls to the terrorist attacks on Paris last fall, in which Islamic State was involved. But what if the group falls this summer or autumn? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Would a Syrian Kurd Defeat of Islamic State Help Democrats Win the White House in 2016?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Feb 22, 2016 This has been a war with a lot of seesawing, so it is premature to make any decisive pronouncements. But this is an election year, and if Islamic State is defeated in Syria in 2016, it could vindicate President Obama’s strategy. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Are the Media Hyping the Threat From Islamic State?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Dec 22, 2015 President Obama is clearly frustrated that conservative radio and cable television -- and even mainstream cable television -- have cooperated with the more belligerent GOP presidential candidates to project Islamic State as some sort of evil superpower and an existential threat to the United States. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Obama vs. Islamic State: Freedom Is More Powerful Than Fear and We Refuse to Take the Bait (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Dec 7, 2015 President Obama addressed the nation Sunday night, in an attempt to calm the public mood after the San Bernardino killers were tied to Islamic State -- though the connection seems to spring merely from common radicalism and murderousness rather than any organizational tie. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Obama Says U.S. Won’t Send Any More Troops to Fight Islamic State but Will Increase Training

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jul 7, 2015 After a briefing at the Pentagon on the fight against Islamic State (also known as Daesh), the president acknowledged Monday that the training of Iraqi troops has been going much slower than expected. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Plan Bee

Signe Wilkinson / Truthdig May 23, 2015 Dig deeper

Airstrike That Killed 52 Civilians Raises Questions About Obama’s Approach to Islamic State

Juan Cole / Truthdig May 4, 2015 The bombing of civilians actually helps Islamic State's propaganda enormously. This policy in Syria needs reconsideration. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘The Daily Show’ Gives Obama a Makeover So Right-Wingers Can Understand What He’s Saying

Natasha Hakimi Zapata / Truthdig Feb 24, 2015 No matter what President Obama says about the Islamic State group, Fox News and conservative politicians continue to misrepresent him. Thankfully, Jon Stewart and his staff at "The Daily Show" have come up with a way to address the problem. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

When Will the U.S. Admit to Boots on the Ground in Iraq?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Nov 13, 2014 In an age of weasel words and Orwellian diction, it would be refreshing to hear Mr. Obama call the recent escalation in Iraq what it is. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )