The Islamic State burst onto the world stage in 2014, capturing vast stretches of Iraq and Syria, brutally and publicly killing Western prisoners, and declaring itself a new pan-Islamic caliphate. President Obama announced an American effort to roll back and eventual defeat the Islamic State, and enlisted an international coalition of Arab and Western powers to accomplish that goal. This effort has, in turn, raised a host of new questions: about effectiveness and commitment, about international law, about presidential authority, about the interpretive limits of an out-of-date domestic authorization for the use of force, and about the general viability of American policy in the region.
Latest in Islamic State
On Feb. 3, President Biden announced that U.S. forces successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation that killed Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of the Islamic State.
The trial is a huge event worth paying attention to.
On Aug. 26, the Islamic State in Khorasan committed two deadly attacks outside the Kabul airport. Although not new to the region, this has prompted questions about the group, its capabilities and the threat it poses to the stability of Afghanistan.
In several countries, repatriated Islamic State members have not been held accountable. Their treatment has sparked controversy and raises security concerns.
Pfc. Cole James Bridges has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and attempting to murder U.S. military service members.
There’s a ton of online fundraisers for women affiliated with the Islamic State. Many of these fundraisers take place relatively openly on social media.
The Justice Department charged two men—Alexanda Amon Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh—with eight counts in connection to a series of hostage takings and executions in Syria. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia charged the former British nationals with conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death, hostage taking resulting in death, conspiracy to murder United States citizens outside of the United States, along with two material support charges.
What are the international law obligations for the SDF and its allies to maintain conditions in prisons housing alleged Islamic State fighters?
I interviewed foreign Islamic State women to hear their opinions on a host of issues.
What’s in the decision ruling that Canada’s intelligence service failed to disclose that information in national security warrant applications was likely illegally obtained?