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Syria’s weakened al-Qaida remnants may act as spoilers

Location:

SYRIA

Ansar al-Islam is part of ‘Be Steadfast’ (Fathbutu), a coalition of al-Qaida-linked groups formed in June. Meanwhile, the dominant rebel force in the north, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham…

Erdogan’s ambitions will strain EU ties further

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TURKEY/FRANCE

Rising tensions over the conflict in Libya have produced a severe crisis in French-Turkish ties and threaten to exacerbate strains in Ankara’s relations with the EU. By placing…

Islamic State sets trends in militant social media use

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

Analysis of the use of social media by jihadists.

Russian military power will be tested in Syria gamble

Location:

RUSSIA

Recent days have seen dangerous and uncoordinated Russian action with violations of Turkish airspace as well as missile strikes directed from the Caspian Sea.

The way is open for more Turkish operations in Syria

Location:

TURKEY/SYRIA

It was just 58 days after Turkey launched an invasion aimed at seizing Afrin from Syrian Kurdish rebels whom Ankara regards as terrorists. Turks have been jubilant at what is…

Northern Syria's endgame will erode Kurdish autonomy

Location:

SYRIA

This follows a controversy after leaked comments from security sources that the operation was “over”. Fighting continues on the ground, principally small-scale skirmishes and…

Military operations may weaken Senegalese insurgents

Location:

SENEGAL

The offensive, still ongoing, follows a January 24 incident when rebels belonging to the secessionist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) killed four government…

Stabilisation initiatives will falter in Iraq

Location:

IRAQ

These operations follow the recapture of Tikrit, Sinjar, Ramadi and Fallujah from Islamic State group (ISG) in the past 18 months. Western countries backing the government and…

Expanded French role in West Africa faces risks

Location:

WEST AFRICA

Though details remain to be decided, a joint declaration made the same day by France and its European, Canadian and African partners has set a June 2022 deadline for devising…

Russia risks mission creep as Syrian rebels dig in

Location:

SYRIA

Since the start of Russian airstrikes last September, the rebels have suffered their largest territorial loss to the regime in two years. The new counter-insurgent strategy…