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Russia mobilized and transported forces and equipment to Syria under the guise of military exercises. The link between Russia’s arrival at the naval base at Tartus and its military exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean are clear, and the proximity in time of Russia’s deployment into Syria and its Center 2015 exercise indicates that these military exercises served as preludes or covers for deployments.
Russian involvement in Iraq has prompted U.S. concerns that Iraqi officials may be sharing classified information with Russia and Iran amid a significant increase in Russian activity in Syria.
Russian involvement in Iraq has prompted U.S. concerns that Iraqi officials may be sharing classified information with Russia and Iran amid a significant increase in Russian activity in Syria.
ISIS has established robust ground campaigns in Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan. ISIS also continues to expand outward, as reflected in its new activity in Bangladesh and Russia's Caucasus. ISIS may increase its activity in the Near Abroad in order to compensate for anticipated losses in Syria due to Russian intervention. ISIS will also seek to pressure Russia and possibly Iran over the next month as they escalate activity in Syria and Iraq.
ISIS increased its terrorism campaigns in Egypt and Saudi Arabia in August 2015, demonstrating its ability to penetrate well-protected cities and strike government targets. ISIS also increased its operational presence in Yemen, taking advantage of AQAP's focus on fighting the al-Houthis. ISIS-linked activity in Tunisia and Indonesia suggests that they represent new growth areas for ISIS's global campaign. The confirmed death of Mullah Omar will likely enhance ISIS's outreach efforts globally as well as accelerate its local campaign in Afghanistan.
An alleged Russian airstrike hit the rebel-held town of Talbisah north of Homs City. Talbisah is home to Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, hardline Islamist Ahrar al-Sham, and a number of other local rebel groups, all of which are active in local governance efforts in the area. If confirmed, the airstrike would signal Russian intent to assist in the Syrian regime's war effort at large, rather than securing the regime's coastal heartland of Latakia and Tartous.
An alleged Russian airstrike hit the rebel-held town of Talbisah north of Homs City. Talbisah is home to Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, hardline Islamist Ahrar al-Sham, and a number of other local rebel groups, all of which are active in local governance efforts in the area. If confirmed, the airstrike would signal Russian intent to assist in the Syrian regime's war effort at large, rather than securing the regime's coastal heartland of Latakia and Tartous.
These charts contrast international leaders’ positions on Assad before and after mainstream media coverage of Russia’s deployment of aircraft to Syria, marked here as September 4, 2015. Several leaders softened their stance on the Syrian leader following Russian intervention, undermining the United States’ stated goal of achieving a negotiated political solution in which Assad is not in power.