Russian Airstrikes in Syria: November 25 - December 2, 2015
December 4, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande
Russian air operations in Syria continue to pursue the preservation of the Assad regime.
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Publications
San Bernardino Shooting a Terrorist Attack with al-Qaeda and ISIS Footprints
December 4, 2015 - Institute for the Study of War
The San Bernardino shooting of December 2, 2015 was a terrorist attack conducted by perpetrators inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) and possibly linked with and inspired by al Qaeda. The attack displays some of the sophistication and signatures of past al Qaeda attacks.
A Political Settlement in Syria?
December 4, 2015 - Jennifer Cafarella
ISW's Syria Analyst and Evans Hanson Fellow Jennifer Cafarella makes the case that "The framework for a political settlement in Syria, recently negotiated by the United States, will fail to end the Syria Civil War." arguing that "The diplomatic track must be a partner and beneficiary of a sound military effort. It cannot be a substitute." Read her full op-ed in the Cipher Brief here.
Control Map of Ramadi: December 3, 2015
December 3, 2015 - Patrick Martin
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) recaptured the Palestine Bridge that spans the Euphrates River northwest of Ramadi on November 25.
ISIS in Afghanistan: December 3, 2015
December 3, 2015 - Harleen Gambhir
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)’s affiliate in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region is effective, operational, and positioned to expand. The affiliate, Wilayat Khorasan, controls populated areas in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar Province and has launched attacks on Jalalabad and Kabul.
Russian Airstrikes in Syria: December 3 - 12, 2015
December 3, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande
Russia and the Syrian regime faced significant setbacks in Syria this week as ISIS recaptured the towns of Maheen and Hawareen in the southeastern countryside of Homs on December 9.
Iraq Situation Report: November 20 - December 2, 2015
December 2, 2015 - Patrick Martin
The U.S. intensified its activities in Iraq and Syria by deploying additional Special Forces to Iraq.
Russia Security Update: November 25- December 1, 2015
December 1, 2015 - Hugo Spaulding
Russia took steps to reassert its freedom of action in Syria in response to Turkey’s downing of a Russian bomber on November 24. Russia is deterring Turkey from future attacks by deploying the long-range S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system to its airbase in Latakia Province, equipping its bombers in Syria with air-to-air missiles, and reportedly preparing to deploy up to twelve additional air superiority fighters to escort its bombers.
Russia's False Narrative in Syria: December 1, 2015
December 1, 2015 - Hugo Spaulding
President Vladimir Putin is actively misinforming his domestic audience and the international community about Russia’s first military intervention outside the former Soviet Union since Afghanistan. Putin has created a false narrative about the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) to disguise the true objectives behind Russia’s intervention Syria and is using this narrative to manipulate the international community.
Russian Airstrikes in Syria: November 11 - 29, 2015
November 29, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande
Russia shifted its airstrikes in Syria to concentrate along the Turkish border following the downing of a Russian jet by Turkish warplanes on November 24 in an effort to reassert its freedom of action inside Syria. Russian airstrikes focused on the rebel-held Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam border crossings as well as the ISIS-held Jarablus border crossing from November 25 - 29.