Publications

Al Qaeda and ISIS: Existential Threats to the U.S. and Europe

January 19, 2016 - Jennifer Cafarella

The Institute for the Study of War and AEI's Critical Threats Project conducted an intensive multi-week exercise to frame, design, and evaluate potential courses of action that the United States could pursue to defeat the threat from ISIS and al Qaeda in Iraq and Syria. This first report examines America’s global grand strategic objectives as they relate to ISIS and al Qaeda and considers the nature of those enemy groups in depth and in their global context.

Al Qaeda and ISIS: Existential Threats to the U.S. and Europe

January 19, 2016 - Kimberly Kagan

The Institute for the Study of War and AEI's Critical Threats Project conducted an intensive multi-week exercise to frame, design, and evaluate potential courses of action that the United States could pursue to defeat the threat from ISIS and al Qaeda in Iraq and Syria. This first report examines America’s global grand strategic objectives as they relate to ISIS and al Qaeda and considers the nature of those enemy groups in depth and in their global context.

Iraq Situation Report: January 7 - 11, 2015

January 11, 2016 - Patrick Martin

Rival Shi’a political factions are capitalizing on increased instability in Basra to compete for influence. 

Iraq Situation Report: December 22, 2015 - January 6, 2016

January 6, 2016 - Patrick Martin

The ISF made significant gains in Ramadi in December, clearing much of the city center and recapturing the government complex on December 28.

Iraqi Security Forces Clear Ramadi’s Government Center

December 28, 2015 - Patrick Martin

 The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) reportedly recaptured the government complex in central Ramadi on December 28 after clearing ISIS-held areas south of the complex on December 26 and 27.

Ramadi Control Map, Nov. 22, 2015 (Central Ramadi)

December 22, 2015 - Patrick Martin

The ISF began a major operation to penetrate central Ramadi on December 22, 2015. An element lead by the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) entered Ramadi from al-Humaira area south of Ramadi into the city’s southern neighborhoods. A separate CTS force entered from Ta’mim area southwest of Ramadi into al-Haouz neighborhood in southern Ramadi using a pontoon bridge, as all of Ramadi’s bridges have been heavily damaged.

Ramadi Control Map, Nov. 22, 2015 (overview)

December 22, 2015 - Patrick Martin

The ISF began a major operation to penetrate central Ramadi on December 22, 2015. An element lead by the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) entered Ramadi from al-Humaira area south of Ramadi into the city’s southern neighborhoods. A separate CTS force entered from Ta’mim area southwest of Ramadi into al-Haouz neighborhood in southern Ramadi using a pontoon bridge, as all of Ramadi’s bridges have been heavily damaged.

Ramadi Control Map, Dec. 9, 2015

December 22, 2015 - Patrick Martin
The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) achieved major gains in Ramadi and recaptured key terrain in the city’s environs on December 8. The ISF spearheaded by the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) launched an operation on December 4 to recapture Ta’mim, an area composed of Ramadi’s southwestern neighborhoods which ISIS captured on June 27, 2014. As of December 8, the ISF claimed to have seized all of the neighborhoods in Ta’mim as well as several bridges leading into central Ramadi.

Ramadi Control Map, Dec. 3, 2015

December 22, 2015 - Patrick Martin

Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) recaptured the Palestine Bridge that spans the Euphrates River northwest of Ramadi on November 25. Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Col. Steve Warren highlighted the Palestine Bridge as critical for cutting the water supply route to Ramadi on November 5. With the capture of the bridge, ISF have made progress in encircling Ramadi, but they are not yet in a position to launch an operation to recapture the city center.

Ramadi Control Map, Nov. 11, 2015

December 22, 2015 - Patrick Martin
Key Take-Away: Iraqi Security Forces have advanced towards and are proximate to infrastructure necessary for assault on downtown Ramadi. Encirclement of the city has been slow as the Iraqi Security Forces are still clearing the city’s environs, a necessary step before launching an offensive against the city.

ISW’s Control Map of Ramadi has changed to clarify the positions of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in Ramadi’s environs.
 
Changes to Map:
 

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