Publications

Podcast: Escalating Protests in Iraq

October 3, 2019 - ISW Press

Over several "Crisis Brief" podcast episodes, Jennifer Cafarella and guests explain the ongoing unrest in Iraq, the significance of protests, and the underlying political dynamics. This series also looks beyond the immediate political instability to identify the effects on key U.S. national security concerns, from the counter-ISIS fight to Iran's destabilizing role.

Podcast: Russia's Africa Campaign

September 30, 2019 - ISW Press

On Episode 2 of Overwatch, Nataliya Bugayova and Darina Regio preview the October 2019 Russia-Africa summit and unpack the scope and depth of the Russian campaign across Africa, as well as its effects on the region and U.S. interests.

Event Webcast: Syria Study Group

September 26, 2019 - ISW Press

Tune in Thursday, September 26 at 2:30 PM EST to watch ISW President Dr. Kimberly Kagan and her Syria Study Group colleagues discuss the situation in Syria and a way forward at a discussion event convened by the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.

ISIS Prepares for Breakout in Prisons and Camps

September 23, 2019 - ISW Press

ISIS is preparing to free its loyal fighters and followers from prisons and displacement camps across Syria and Iraq following ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's September 16, 2019 statement encouraging a breakout. In one camp in Northern Syria, ISIS has been fundraising via encrypted social media channels for several months.

Russia in Review: Putin's Deepening Dictatorship

September 20, 2019 - ISW Press

In a new "Russia in Review" update, Darina Regio argues that the West should recognize that treating the recent elections in Russia as a true expression of the popular will of the Russian population simply reinforces a false narrative designed to mask Vladimir Putin's dictatorship.

ISW's Overwatch Podcast Series

September 10, 2019 - ISW Press

Overwatch is ISW's podcast series. Launched in September 2019, the series examines the national security challenges that lie ahead for the US through interviews with ISW's experts and featured guests. Listen to the episodes on your favorite podcast service!

Al Qaeda Attempts to Unify Forces in Syria

September 5, 2019 - ISW Press

Al Qaeda has reinvigorated its effort to unite anti-Assad groups into a single military force in northwest Syria after Russia enabled the regime of Syrian President Bashar al Assad to break a months-long stalemate in northwest Syria.

The Kremlin's Campaign in Africa

August 23, 2019 - ISW Press

Russia has been building its campaign to expand its influence across the African continent ahead of the inaugural Africa-Russia Summit in October 2019. The campaign provides insight into the Kremlin’s potential points of vulnerability and the risk of blowback from failed influence operations.

Afghanistan: A Tale of Two Withdrawals

August 20, 2019 - ISW Press

Conditions in Afghanistan are worse today than they were when the Soviets withdrew, even if the insurgency is weaker. No actors share a compelling vision for the future of Afghanistan. No faction is strong enough to exert full control over the country. As the U.S. and NATO prepare for a drawdown, they must be clear-eyed about the likely outcome.

Syria Situation Report

July 25, 2019 - ISW Press

The latest SITREP covers insurgent attacks in Southern Syria, demonstrations of support for ISIS in the al Hawl IDP camp, and Turkish-backed forces' targeting of Russia's airbase on the Syrian coast.

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