Watch: Jewish woman and Satan give birth to ISIS on Iraqi TV
Political satire mocks rituals of Islamic State.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Report: Israeli drone shot down in Iraq
According to the Arab-language Al-Mayadin television network, the Hermes Model drone was shot down near Baghdad Airport, the third Israeli UAV to be intercepted in last week.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Pope Francis calls for solidarity with persecuted Christians in Middle East
“We cannot resign ourselves to imagining a Middle East without Christians, who have professed the name of Jesus there for over two thousand years," Pope Francis said.
By ARIEL COHEN
Israeli aid to Iraq helps Christians persecuted by Islamic State
“What we’re trying to achieve is a partnership between religious actors...to provide as much aid as possible to hundreds of thousands of new refugees who are fleeing IS," says IsraAID director.
By ARIEL COHEN
Israel expressed concerns to US over security failures in Iraq
Netanyahu gov't fears implications of US inability to train Arab forces; says failures in Iraq evidence against proposed US security plan for the Jordan Valley.
By MICHAEL WILNER,HERB KEINON
Israel receives first ever oil shipment from Iraqi Kurdistan
The SCF Altai tanker was anchored near Ashkelon port early on Friday morning, ship tracking and industry sources said.
By REUTERS
Malgré quelques revers, l’Etat islamique se porte bien
Rien ne semble remettre en question l’existence future de l’Etat islamique : ni les Kurdes, ni l’armée irakienne, ni les frappes aériennes américaines.
By JONATHAN SPYER
Yazidi boy recovering from surgery in Israel, father worried about family in Iraq
Save a Child’s Heart organization operated on the 17-month-old boy at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon.
By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Akbar model to sideline Islamists
The current Indian government should use the model of King Akbar to curb radical Islamists in India and the region.
By JAGDISH N SINGH
Checkmating Islamists in Iraq
It's time for India and other democracies to get serious about checkmating Islamists in Iraq.
By JAGDISH N SINGH
ISIS becomes IS
Events move fast in the Middle East, and it seems the name ISIS has outlived its usefulness.
By NEVILLE TELLER
Behind the Lines: Islamic State’s explosive advance
Islamist group is advancing on three fronts, but the fantaticism that serves it well in the battlefield is leading to increased internal and external resistance.
By JONATHAN SPYER
The religious cleansing of Iraq’s Christians
"Can this really be happening in the modern world?"
By LELA GILBERT
Pedal to the metal: Netherlands allows Dutch biker gangs to fight Islamic State
Dutch prosecutor says motorcyclists are permitted to engage with Kurds battling jihadists, as long as they do not join terror groups.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Iraqi PM: Islamic State planning attacks on US, Paris subway systems
US security officials say have no information to support threat.
By REUTERS
Islamic State creates police force in northwest Iraq
"Islamic Police" have cars and boats; Residents say militants arrest dissidents.
By REUTERS
France hosting international summit on Islamic State
Iraqi authorities to meet in French capital with some 30 other countries and organizations to coordinate response to Islamic State.
By REUTERS
The trend of breakaway Islamists
Arab tribes have been fighting and allying with each other for centuries. And tribes also tend to unite against an invasion by outsiders.
By Ariel Ben Solomon
US army attacks terrorists in Somalia
Al-Shabaab Islamists, affiliated with al-Qaida, were targeted in the attacks.
By REUTERS
Britain raises terrorism threat level to 'severe' in response to Iraq, Syria
"That means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, but there is no intelligence to suggest that an attack is imminent," the home secretary said.
By REUTERS
US conducts air strikes in Iraq near Arbil and Mosul dam
Central Command says strikes were aimed at supporting humanitarian efforts in Iraq and protecting US personnel and facilities there.
By REUTERS
US mulls military options for Iraqi mountaintop rescue of thousands
Obama promises to prevent genocide of Iraqi Yazidi minority on Mt. Sinjar despite denying any possible combat role for US troops in Iraq.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Without allies against ISIS, US finds itself in the same camp as Iran, its sworn enemy
An extremist Islamic state is coming into being in the heart of the Mideast. It will become a bastion of terrorism unleashing its attacks against neighbors and sending its faithful on operations in Europe and the US.
By ZVI MAZEL
Pentagon pushes back against Israeli critique of Iraq
Senior US defense official says Israeli criticism of security training fundamentally misread the threats facing Iraq.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Iran opposes US intervention in Iraq, says Khamenei
After Obama offers up 300 Americans to help coordinate the fight against ISIS, the Iranian supreme leader says intervention in Iraq is unnecessary.
By REUTERS
The GUNS OF AUGUST
Inside the Kurdish-Islamic State war
By JONATHAN SPYER
ISIS: Apocalypse Now?
The actual number of ISIS fighters is relatively small, but their achievements have been nothing short of spectacular.
By BRUCE MADDY-WEITZMAN
US-led air strikes slow advance of Islamic State near Syrian border town
War jets fly over Syrian town of Kobani after days of heavy raids against jihadist group.
By REUTERS
Book Review: Descent into chaos
An Iraqi author describes how the foundations for sectarianism, civil war and corruption grew out of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Hot off the Arab press
What citizens of other countries are reading about the Middle East.
By COMPILED BY THE MEDIA LINE
Hot off the Arab press
What citizens of other countries are reading about the Middle East
By THE MEDIA LINE
Most Americans unclear on objective in ISIS fight
Nevertheless, a clear majority favors military action against the extremist group.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Turkey grants passage for Iraqi Kurds to fight Islamic State in Syria
Announcement marks a significant policy shift by Ankara -a government that has long been hostile to Kurdish nationalists
By MICHAEL WILNER
Islamic State reportedly training pilots to fly captured jets
Monitor group says extremist group has taken to the air for first time in three aircraft.
By REUTERS
Iranian intelligence helping Iraq and Syria tackle Islamic State
Minister slams Mossad, CIA for spying on Iran's nuclear, military facilities.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
VIDEO: US reports nearly 20 strikes on Islamic State in Syrian border town
American aircraft hit 18 IS targets in Kobani, 5 positions in Iraq on Tuesday and Wednesday.
By REUTERS
ISIS sold Muslim women to Jews, Kuwaiti cleric charges
The coalition to fight ISIS is a fraud and ISIS is selling Muslim women to Jews, according to Imam Saleh Jawhar.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
US military says it conducts airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq
The US and Dutch militaries also carried out three airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq near Tal Afar and Hit on Friday and Saturday, Central Command said in a statement.
By REUTERS
Israeli Arab who joined Islamic State killed in fighting in western Iraq
Ahmed Habashi, 23, hailed from from the village of Iksal, just south of Nazareth
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Belgium, Netherlands and Australia start combat flights against ISIS in Iraq
Australians and Dutch conduct combat flights; Belgian plane bombs and "neutralizes" target.
By REUTERS,JPOST.COM STAFF
Khorasan Group targeted by US in Syria a special unit of al-Qaida
Jenan Moussa of Dubai-based Alaan TV gathered exclusive images and documents from the bombed headquarters of the so-called Khorasan Group in Aleppo.
By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
British jets launch their first attacks against Islamic State targets in Iraq
Jets attack a heavy weapons position that was endangering Kurdish forces and they subsequently attack an (IS) armed pick-up truck in the same area, defense secretary says.
By REUTERS
Watch: Islamic State seizes millions of dollars from Iraqi home
Piles of cash estimated to be worth millions, says unidentified man in video.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Turkish hostages abducted by Islamic State released
Diplomats, soldiers, children taken in Iraq are now in the southeastern city of Sanliurfa.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
US: Iran is welcome to participate in UN meeting on Iraq
Friday session chaired by Secretary Kerry is open to Iranian participation, US says; Obama not opposed to meeting with Rouhani.
By MICHAEL WILNER
US expands attacks on Islamic State while mulling arms and training for Syrian rebels
Politicians will begin debating legislation on Tuesday to give President Barack Obama approval to arm and train rebels who oppose both Islamic State and the Syrian government.
By REUTERS
Without Iran, world leaders tackle ISIS
Powers focus on Iraq over Syria, plan to retake Mosul; DC, Tehran spar over talks.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Women from American heartland joining Islamic State terrorists
"ISIS is recruiting these women in order to be baby factories. They are seeing the establishment of an Islamic state and now they need to populate the state," expert says.
By REUTERS
Report: Jordan to provide logistical support, training to Iraq
US to send CIA officers to Jordan for security and intel coordination, reports Arab newspaper.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Saudi jails six for going abroad to fight
The kingdom imprisoned dozens of people last month in security trials amid fears that the conflicts in Iraq and Syria will radicalise a new generation of young Saudis.
By REUTERS
24 year old survives Islamic State massacre
Mohammed Majul Hamoud says was ordered to lie face down and was handcuffed; "Anyone who moved or raised his head was shot."
By REUTERS
Former intel chief: No reason for Israel to fear Islamic State
Amos Yadlin says IDF would have less trouble eliminating Islamic State terrorists than Hamas operatives hiding in Gaza hospitals.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
US strikes Islamic State Fighters in Iraq
The strikes are meant to thwart Islamic State attacks on the 15,000 residents of the besieged town of Amerli
By REUTERS
US seeks global coalition against Islamic State
Washington wants broad group of allies before striking Syria; UK, Saudis likely to participate; Kerry to unite Mideast against terrorism.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Tehran seeks to overcome Western influence by supplying weapons to Kurds
Iranians have been present in Kurdistan and pushing for their interests for a long time, says expert.
By Ariel Ben Solomon
Islamic State executes man by stoning for adultery, Pope calls parents of James Foley
Pope Francis calls parents of murdered journalist expresses condolences, states Western countries "justified" in taking action against Islamic State.
By REUTERS
Iran denies report linking cooperation on Islamic State to nuclear talks
Islamic Republic dismisses report that Tehran is ready to help counter Sunni Islamist group in return for progress on talks with world powers.
By REUTERS
US military campaign against Islamic State 'unchanged' after public killing
Islamists demanded ransom for American journalist; Iran conflates nuclear diplomacy with ISIS response.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Islamic State warns it has sleeper cells in the West, raises the stakes with beheading of American
The abundance of foreign fighters in Islamic State ranks pose a serious threat, could use Western passports to keep low profile in home countries.
By REUTERS
Analysis: The Islamic State sends a bloody ransom note to President Obama
The beheading of an American journalist, with another held and threatened, is a direct challenge to the leadership of Barack Obama.
By MICHAEL WILNER
American flights banned from flying to Syria
FAA warns American pilots about anti-aircraft weapons as Islamic State continues its encroachment into the country.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
By bombing ISIS in Iraq, US sidesteps Syria
US broadens military mission against Islamic State by widening scope of security requirements for US assets, personnel in Iraq.
By MICHAEL WILNER
US scores military victory over Islamic State at Mosul Dam
Key facility retaken by Kurdish forces after major campaign of American airstrikes.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Islamic State kills 80 Yazidis in north Iraq
Kurdish official: "We believe it's because of their creed: convert or be killed."
By REUTERS
Iraq's Maliki steps aside as PM, backs replacement
Haider al-Abadi is seen as a far less polarizing figure that has a chance of uniting Iraqis against Sunni insurgents.
By REUTERS
Humanitarian crisis averted on Mount Sinjar, says Obama
Obama said the US had broken the Islamic State’s attempted siege of Iraq’s Yazidi minority.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Yazidi writer: ‘Defend us from the massacres’
“Thousands of men were killed in front of their families and many old men have died from thirst and illness,” says Khalida Khalil.
By Ariel Ben Solomon
Political crisis roils Baghdad as Maliki refuses to cede power
Iraq’s president nominates successor to longtime PM; US warplanes conduct bombing campaign on Islamic State fighters at base of Mount Sinjar.
By MICHAEL WILNER
Islamic State forces kill hundreds of Yazidi minority in Iraq threaten Kurdish capital
The newly declared caliphate buries some alive in mass graves and takes Yazidi women as slaves, US continues to bomb Islamic State positions near Kurdish capital.
By REUTERS
US prepared for long military effort in Iraq against ISIS, Obama says
Nearly a dozen targets were successfully eliminated by US forces on Friday.
By MICHAEL WILNER
US aircraft strikes Islamic State targets in northern Iraq
Two F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near Arbil, the Pentagon said.
By REUTERS
Iran looks to form new government in Iraq
Senior Iranian official says finding suitable replacement for Maliki was difficult, saying
By REUTERS
Islamic State tightens modesty laws for women
IS terrorists tell women: Don full-face veils, cover hands and feet, wear loose clothing, don't wear perfume, or face punishment.
By REUTERS
Iraq says footage purporting to show ISIS leader is false
Government in Iraq says video posted online alleging to show Abu Bakr el-Baghdadi praying in northern city of Mosul was a farce.
By REUTERS
Netanyahu promotes ‘bookends doctrine'
PM lobbies for support of independent Kurdish state, strong Jordan to box in Islamic extremists.
By HERB KEINON
Turkey rejects independent Kurdish state, wants Iraq unity government
Turkey has in the past been cool to efforts for greater autonomy for Iraqi Kurdistan for fear of stirring up separatist feelings among its own Kurds.
By REUTERS
Watch: ISIS fighter says group will 'break all borders to reach Jerusalem'
Social media clip shows man, who claims to be standing on the Iraq border with Syria, reaffirm the declaration of an Islamic "caliphate."
By JPOST.COM STAFF,REUTERS
Netanyahu: I support Kurdish independence
Israel must prepare for ISIS infiltration into Jordan by building security barrier from Eilat to Golan Heights, says PM.
By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Terrorists target Iraq air base as US assessment teams deploy
Two weeks of advances by militants spearheaded by ISIS has threatened to rupture the country 2.5 years after US withdrawal.
By REUTERS
Pentagon rejects reports of US drone strike on Syria-Iraq border
Spokesman for US DoD says there is "not truth to rumors in media" of American attack on area controlled by ISIS-led militants.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
On surprise Baghdad visit, Kerry says US will not choose Iraq's leader
The trip comes as ISIS takes control of more and more areas, including Syria border strongholds over the weekend.
By REUTERS
The Islamic Republic and Islamic State
The ambition of both Iran and the IS is wide territorial expansion.
By YARIV LEVIN
On My Mind: Heritage protection
Jews perhaps know more than others about having their cultural possessions plundered.
By KENNETH BANDLER
The US should no longer be in Iraq. Iraqis must destroy IS
We’ve done enough battling an enemy that grows new appendages like a hydra.
By H.A. GOODMAN
Islamic State and the shattering of Western myths in the Middle East
For past decades, Western diplomacy was defined by an assumption that the root of all problems in the Middle East was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
By YARIV LEVIN
Intervention’s limits
Over the decade since the invasion of Iraq, Republicans and Democrats alike have learned the hard way the limits of the US’s ability to effect change.
By JPost Editorial
Connecting the dots
Western leaders failed to recognize the similarities between the Islamic State and Hamas.
By MICHEL GURFINKIEL
End Iraq terror
The deafening silence from the West is similar to that which greeted previous genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and Sudan, where crimes that could have been prevented.
By JPost Editorial
How should we fight Hamas?
Israel has become the canary in the coal mine, exposing a dangerous species of pacifism sweeping across Europe and parts of the US.
By ARIEL HARKHAM
Disavowing Kurdish independence, Turkey prepares for Kurdish energy future
Turkey seems to have officially disavowed any support for the independence of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq.
By MICHA’EL TANCHUM
Behind the Lines: Fractured states
Western diplomacy lags behind reality on the ground in the ‘former’ Iraq and Syria.
By JONATHAN SPYER
Iraq and Iran: A plague on both their houses
This is a death struggle between two competing forces for overall geopolitical superiority and hegemony in the Middle East.
By ZALMAN SHOVAL
The Iraqi factor
What has happened in Iraq has vindicated Israel’s opposition at the time to Kerry’s proposal.
By JPost Editorial
ISIS: Beyond the regional instability
Since the fall of Mosul to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria organization, the media has been disseminating an apocalyptic portrayal of the situation.
By YORAM SCHWEITZER