Publications

Iraq Situation Report: March 26-27, 2015

March 27, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

Iranian-backed militias have exhibited mixed reactions to the participation of the U.S.-led coalition in the Tikrit operation.

Ukraine Crisis Update: March 26, 2015

March 26, 2015 - Hugo Spaulding

Against the backdrop of continued ­fighting outside Mariupol and Donetsk, Ukrainian oligarch and volunteer battalion fi­nancier Ihor Kolomoyskyi stole the headlines this week.

Iraq Situation Report: March 24-25, 2015

March 25, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has announced that the "last phase" of the Salah ad-Din operations has begun, likely in reference to the operation to retake Tikrit.

Syria Situation Report: March 17-24, 2015

March 24, 2015 - Jennifer Cafarella

Merger of Prominent Islamist Groups Provides JN Opportunity to Establish Partnership:  The absorption of Suqour al-Sham into HASI counters rising JN influence in northern Syria by consolidating the combat power of major Islamist elements of the opposition. The merger does not, however, necessarily challenge JN’s military supremacy nor jeopardize its ongoing efforts to govern.

Syria Situation Report: March 17-24, 2015

March 24, 2015 - Chris Kozak

Merger of Prominent Islamist Groups Provides JN Opportunity to Establish Partnership:  The absorption of Suqour al-Sham into HASI counters rising JN influence in northern Syria by consolidating the combat power of major Islamist elements of the opposition. The merger does not, however, necessarily challenge JN’s military supremacy nor jeopardize its ongoing efforts to govern.

Iraq Situation Report: March 21-23, 2015

March 23, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

The deployments of ISF units from the south to various fronts in western and northern Iraq between December 2013 and the present has caused a security vacuum in the southern provinces.

Iraq Situation Report: March 18-20, 2015

March 20, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

Iraqi Security Forces, Shi'a militias, and the Popular Mobilization have begun to shell Tikrit. Shelling may disrupt ISIS within the city, making further advances to clear ISIS possible. Shelling will also likely inflict civilian casualties, which may have divisive consequences within the Popular Mobilization.

The Taliban Resurgent: Threats to Afghanistan’s Security

March 20, 2015 -

The success or failure of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan has reached a critical juncture. Far from defeated, the ongoing Afghan insurgency remains a serious challenge and threatens to reverse hard-won prior gains.

Ukraine Crisis Update: March 19, 2015

March 19, 2015 - Hugo Spaulding

Amidst ongoing low-level fighting between Ukrainian and separatist forces, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a law on March 18 which would grant limited autonomy to many areas under separatist control.

Iraq Situation Report: March 13-18, 2015

March 18, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

The role of Iranian-backed militias is introducing an obstacle for the Iraqi Government in its effort to reclaim the territories that fell out of its control. Since the fall of Mosul in 2014, these militias have played a crucial role in retaking areas from ISIS with minimal support from coalition air power and heavy reliance on Iranian support. The lack of precise coalition targeting is for the first time a limiting factor leading Iraqi commanders to halt the operation to retake Tikrit. 

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