Middle East

ISIS and Egypt’s Militants

News sources recently announced that Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM), Egypt’s most active and seemingly best organized terrorist organization that has conducted several successful attacks on state security assets, had formally pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

The Islamic State and the Internationalization of the Sinai Conflict

By Zack Gold

The Sinai-based Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) is one of the most active “unaffiliated” jihadi groups, having yet to pledge fealty to either the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) or al-Qaeda (AQ). Given its strategic position between Egypt’s Nile Valley and Israel, and its attacks against both, the group’s activities receive major international coverage—even […]

Why Training Is Still More Important Than Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq

By Daniel DePetris

More than two months into the US and coalition air campaign, Obama administration officials and members of the US military’s senior leadership are confident that “Operation Inherent Resolve” is having the intended effect against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL).

Will a Change in the Senate Lead to a Change in Syria Policy?

By Jason T. Hunt

As Americans flock to the polls today, predictions increasingly favor Republicans to win the 2014-midterm elections. Although Democrats hold out hope to retain control of the Senate, the odds in Republicans’ favor encourage serious thought about how the policy choices of a Republican Senate may or may not differ from the policies of today’s Democratic […]