Publications

ISIS’s Campaign in Libya: January 4-February 19, 2016

February 19, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

Key Takeaway: ISIS is executing a sophisticated, multi-front campaign against Libya’s oil facilities, demonstrating the organization’s growing capability abroad. President Obama reportedly ruled out significant military intervention against the group as of February 18. The administration opted to continue intermittent strikes against ISIS leaders in Libya instead, such as the strike on an ISIS leader in western Libya on February 19.

ISIS’s Campaign in Libya: January 4-February 19, 2016

February 19, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

ISIS is executing a sophisticated, multi-front campaign against Libya’s oil facilities, demonstrating the organization’s growing capability abroad. President Obama reportedly ruled out significant military intervention against the group as of February 18.

Iraq Situation Report: February 12 - 17, 2016

February 17, 2016 - Patrick Martin

Prime Minister Abadi is facing grave political challenges following his announcement of a cabinet reshuffle on February 9. 

Russia Security Update: February 2-17, 2016

February 17, 2016 - Hugo Spaulding

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a snap readiness inspection of forces in southwestern Russia and the Crimean Peninsula beginning February 8 including air, naval, and air defense assets as well as up to 8,500 troops. The drills may have been a show of force in response to revelations of Western plans to deploy troops in Eastern Europe and the Baltics. NATO members agreed to increase the alliance’s forward presence along its eastern flank, reportedly with up to 6,000 troops, days after the U.S.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: February 2 - 16, 2016

February 16, 2016 - Genevieve Casagrande
Russia continues to target opposition forces and civilian infrastructure after brokering a “cessation of hostilities” agreement through the International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) on February 11. Russian air operations against the armed opposition have continued unhindered since the announcement of the agreement.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: February 2 - 16, 2016

February 16, 2016 - Genevieve Casagrande
Russia continues to target opposition forces and civilian infrastructure after brokering a “cessation of hostilities” agreement through the International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) on February 11. Russian air operations against the armed opposition have continued unhindered since the announcement of the agreement.

Syrian Armed Opposition Forces in Aleppo

February 13, 2016 - Jennifer Cafarella
The United States faces a geostrategic inflection in Syria that it has not yet fully recognized. The “cessation of hostilities” declared on February 11, 2016 permits Russia and the Assad regime to continue targeting U.S. allies in Aleppo under the pretext that the opposition in the city consists predominantly of al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al Nusra.

Syrian Armed Opposition Forces in Aleppo

February 13, 2016 - Genevieve Casagrande

The United States faces a geostrategic inflection in Syria that it has not yet fully recognized. The “cessation of hostilities” declared on February 11, 2016 permits Russia and the Assad regime to continue targeting U.S. allies in Aleppo under the pretext that the opposition in the city consists predominantly of al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al Nusra.

Besieged and Hard-to-Reach Regions in Syria: February 12, 2016

February 12, 2016 - Chris Kozak

The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) agreed to secure immediate humanitarian access to six besieged locations in Syria during their most recent meeting in Munich, Germany on February 11, 2016.

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