Publications

ISIS Sanctuary Map: July 1, 2016

July 1, 2016 - Caitlin Forrest

Since the publication of ISW’s last sanctuary map on May 25th, 2016, ISIS militants lost control of the city of Fallujah but were able to launch spectacular attacks in Lebanon and on the Jordanian border. ISIS continues to lose territory in Iraq, and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are threatening its last major supply route from ar-Raqqa City to the Syrian-Turkish border.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: June 3-28, 2016

July 1, 2016 - Genevieve Casagrande

Russia continues to pressure the U.S. and regional actors into closer cooperation through its military intervention in Syria. Russia ultimately seeks to supplant the U.S. as a security guarantor in the Middle East and has used its air campaign in Syria to galvanize its demands for greater coordination in the theater.

Syria Situation Report: June 25 - July 1, 2016

July 1, 2016 - Chris Kozak

The White House issued a proposal for direct military partnership with Russia in an effort to reestablish a faltering political process to end the Syrian Civil War. The proposal appears to represent a major concession to demands from Russia for deeper cooperation from the U.S. in the fight against “terrorism” as part of its wider strategic objective to secure international legitimacy as a security guarantor in the Middle East at the expense of the U.S.

ISIS's Campaign in Turkey

June 30, 2016 - Caitlin Forrest

ISIS has two main lines of effort in Turkey. The first is to incite an ethnic war between the Kurds and the Turkish state in order to weaken its opponents in northern Syria and regain freedom of action in southern Turkey. The second is to undermine the Turkish state and punish it for being part of the anti-ISIS coalition through attacks against western targets in Turkey.

Iraq Situation Report: June 21 - 28, 2016

June 28, 2016 - Patrick Martin

The Iraqi Federal Court ruled that two key sessions of the Council of Representatives (CoR) in April, one held by legitimate CoR and the other held rebelling members of a rump parliament, were illegal. 

Syria Situation Report: June 18 - 24, 2016

June 24, 2016 - Chris Kozak

The White House defended its policy towards the Syrian Civil War following the publication of a diplomatic dissent cable calling for the “judicious” use of force against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Meanwhile, President Assad appointed a new prime minister despite international calls for a political transition. Unconfirmed reports also claimed that Russia and Iran may deploy additional forces to the country over the next few weeks.

ISIS-Linked Activity in Southeast Asia: April 22 to June 23, 2016

June 23, 2016 - Caitlin Forrest

Four ISIS-linked Salafi-Jihadi groups in Philippines released a video on June 21, 2016 including an official logo for ISIS in Philippines, implying direct affiliation with ISIS. The four groups in the video are the Abu Khubayb Brigade, the Jundallah Battalion, the Abu Sadr Battalion, and the Abu Dujana Brigade.

Iraq Situation Report: June 14 - 20, 2016

June 20, 2016 - Patrick Martin

The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) made significant gains in recapturing Fallujah from ISIS, but areas recaptured in the future face the risk of instability.

Fallujah Control of Terrain Map: June 17, 2016

June 17, 2016 - Emily Anagnostos

Even as the ISF operation is on the verge of military success in Fallujah, it is poised to be a political failure.

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