Publications

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: September 30, 2015 - October 1, 2015

October 2, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande

Russia conducted a second round of airstrikes in Syria on October 1, targeting rebel-held positions in the provinces of Homs, Idlib, and Aleppo. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has repeatedly claimed that the airstrikes are targeting ISIS positions in these rebel-held areas. These airstrikes are the first Russian strikes confirmed by the Russian MoD that have targeted positions in ISIS-held terrain.

Iraq Situation Report: September 26 - October 1, 2015

October 1, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

Russian involvement in Iraq has prompted U.S. concerns that Iraqi officials may be sharing classified information with Russia and Iran amid a significant increase in Russian activity in Syria.

ISIS-Linked Regional Activity: September 2015

September 30, 2015 - Harleen Gambhir

ISIS has established robust ground campaigns in Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan. ISIS also continues to expand outward, as reflected in its new activity in Bangladesh and Russia's Caucasus. ISIS may increase its activity in the Near Abroad in order to compensate for anticipated losses in Syria due to Russian intervention. ISIS will also seek to pressure Russia and possibly Iran over the next month as they escalate activity in Syria and Iraq.

ISIS-Linked Regional Activity: August 2015

September 30, 2015 - Harleen Gambhir

ISIS increased its terrorism campaigns in Egypt and Saudi Arabia in August 2015, demonstrating its ability to penetrate well-protected cities and strike government targets. ISIS also increased its operational presence in Yemen, taking advantage of AQAP's focus on fighting the al-Houthis. ISIS-linked activity in Tunisia and Indonesia suggests that they represent new growth areas for ISIS's global campaign. The confirmed death of Mullah Omar will likely enhance ISIS's outreach efforts globally as well as accelerate its local campaign in Afghanistan.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: September 30, 2015

September 30, 2015 - Institute for the Study of War

An alleged Russian airstrike hit the rebel-held town of Talbisah north of Homs City. Talbisah is home to Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, hardline Islamist Ahrar al-Sham, and a number of other local rebel groups, all of which are active in local governance efforts in the area. If confirmed, the airstrike would signal Russian intent to assist in the Syrian regime's war effort at large, rather than securing the regime's coastal heartland of Latakia and Tartous.

Iraq Situation Report: September 22 - 25, 2015

September 25, 2015 - Sinan Adnan

An anonymous senior U.S. official stated that “low-level Russian generals” had established a “coordination cell” in Baghdad with Syrian and Iranian military commanders to coordinate the activities of Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi’a militias in Iraq.

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