Yemen Begins 72-Hour Ceasefire Amid Controversy
A U.N. brokered ceasefire took effect in Yemen late October 19 after a call from the U.S. and Britain to end violence between the government and Iran-backed Houthis, a rebel group in Yemen.
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European Union and Afghanistan Agree to Return Migrants
By Samantha Stevenson Staff Writer The European Union and Afghanistan came to an agreement in a conference on October 5
Read MoreRussia Calls U.S. Airstrike That Hit Syrian Troops a “Reckless Operation”
Ambassador Samantha Power acknowledged last week that the United States “did indeed strike Syrian military personnel, that was not our intention, and we, of course, regret the loss of life.”
Read MoreWarnings of ‘Domino Effect’ Follow the Forced Evacuation of Daraya
One of the most immediate implications felt from Daraya’s fall is that it has heightened Assad’s confidence that the Syrian government can successfully regain all rebel-controlled land, as the capture of Daraya will likely have a domino effect. Daraya’s siege has upset the opposition effort, while “encouraging the army to believe it was in reach of subduing rebel bastions,” according to Reuters.
Read MoreDespite Saudi Precautions, Hajj Sees Low Attendance
Saudi Arabia issued electronic bracelets to attendees and also increased the use of surveillance cameras to track the flow of traffic throughout the momentous event.
Read MoreNusra Front Becomes Invaluable Asset to Syrian Rebels
Originally named Jabhat al-Nusra, which means “The Support Front” in Arabic, the group pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in April 2013 and served as the network’s official Syrian branch until recently, according to BBC.
Read MoreBook Review: Islam and the Future of Tolerance
A secularist and a former Islamist come together to debate the causes of extremism, dissect the nuances of how the West understands Islam, and discuss possible means of encouraging tolerance.
Read MoreWritings on the Wall: The Texts Governing the Islamic State
If religion, as many scholars argue, is inherently neutral — neither violent nor peaceful — how can an “Islamic state” be so committed to such violent acts?
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Can Syria Be Whole Again?
Some suspect that the partition plan is a Russian idea, and the United States is simply following along. It is also uncertain how the recent withdrawal of Russian forces will affect the ceasefire.
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2016 Bombings Across the Globe: How ISIS Has Grown in Scope
Considering the sheer volume of these bombings, the details can get lost in the news cycle, here is the Envoy’s briefing on 2016 bombings with casualties above 20.
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