Publications

Syria Situation Report: May 10 - 18, 2017

May 19, 2017 - Chris Kozak

The U.S. conducted an airstrike targeting a pro-regime convoy advancing against allied opposition groups at Al-Tanaf on the Syrian-Iraqi Border on May 18. The U.S. and Turkey failed to overcome their strategic divide during a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Erdogan on May 16.

Syria Situation Report: April 20 - May 10, 2017

May 15, 2017 - Chris Kozak

Russia, Iran, and Turkey agreed at a new set of Astana Talks on May 3 - 4 to establish four large “de-escalation” zones over opposition-held regions of Western Syria. The U.S. signaled its intent to move forward with an imminent offensive to seize Ar-Raqqa City from ISIS that includes the Syrian Kurdish YPG despite clear objections from Turkey.

Ukraine Update: Russia's Active Campaign in Ukraine

May 15, 2017 - ISW Press
By: Benjamin Knudsen, Alexandra Lariiciuc, and Franklin Holcomb

The U.S.-Turkey Divide Beyond Raqqa

May 12, 2017 - ISW Press

By Elizabeth Teoman and Ethan Beaudoin

The Campaign for Mosul: April 29-May 11, 2017

May 11, 2017 - Patrick Martin

By Jessa Rose Dury-Agri and the ISW Iraq Team

ISIS Sanctuary: May 10, 2017

May 10, 2017 - Alexandra Gutowski

By Alexandra Gutowski and Jessa Rose Dury-Agri 

 

Russia's Unrelenting Attacks on Syrian Civilians

April 29, 2017 - Genevieve Casagrande

Russia’s campaign against Syrian civilians continued undeterred by the U.S. strike on April 6 in response to the Bashar al-Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons in southern Idlib.

Turkey May Launch New Ground Offensive against US-Backed Forces in Syria

April 28, 2017 - Jennifer Cafarella

Key Takeaway: Turkey’s President Erdogan is trying to coerce President Trump into shifting American support from Kurdish forces toward Turkey’s proxies in Syria, which include al Qaeda-linked elements. Erdogan may launch a new ground operation into Syria in order to create ground realities that could force the U.S. to reconsider his demands.

The Campaign for Mosul: March 2-April 28

April 28, 2017 - ISW Press

Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) units resumed their advance in western Mosul on April 11 after a

Syria Situation Report: April 14 - 20, 2017

April 21, 2017 - Chris Kozak

Russia, Iran, and Syria demonstrated their enduring partnership during a trilateral foreign ministerial meeting in Moscow on April 14 to discuss their response to the recent strike by the U.S. against Shayrat Airbase in Syria on April 6. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continued to consolidate his grip around core regime terrain in Damascus and Hama City.

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