Publications

ISIS's Campaign for Europe

December 4, 2015 - Jessica D. Lewis

ISIS is executing a campaign to terrorize and polarize Europe. The organization has inspired, resourced, and directed attempted and successful attacks in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Turkey since January 2014. ISIS aims to punish countries acting against it in Iraq and Syria.

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.

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.

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