Middle East

Al-Qaida's Syria branch confirms death of field commander

Al-Qaida's Syrian affiliate is confirming that its top field commander has been killed in an airstrike.
Iraqi forces push on to Tikrit as Islamic State destroys ancient site

Iraqi forces pressed their offensive against the Islamic State group Friday, expecting to reach the outskirts of the militant-held city of Tikrit within hours, a day after the extremists reportedly "bulldozed" a famed archaeological site in the area.
Palestinian assailant injures 5 Israelis in car attack

A Palestinian assailant rammed his car into a group of Israeli pedestrians near an Israeli police station in east Jerusalem on Friday, injuring four officers and a bystander, and lunged at security guards with a knife before being shot and wounded, the police said

Mideast

Afghanistan

Iraq

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Pakistan

General says no command influence in decision to retry Marine for Iraq death

A Marine general said Thursday that his decision to order a retrial for a sergeant who already has served six years for the killing of an Iraqi civilian was not affected by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus’ statement that the victim “was murdered.”
CENTCOM exercise aims to strengthen military ties with Kuwait

As some 700 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit wrapped up a month of training in Kuwait and returned to ship Sunday, Kuwaiti and U.S. officials were finalizing a large-scale U.S. Central Command exercise later this month in the Persian Gulf state.
Rights group: New Afghan government must end torture, killings by warlords

A leading international rights group has urged the Afghan government to end what it describes as a culture of impunity that tolerates murder, torture and other abuses by local officials.

CENTCOM chief: Islamic State can be defeated without US ground troops March 3, 2015
Casualties, desertions spike as Afghan forces take lead March 3, 2015
USS New York chaplain honors 9/11 firefighters each night March 3, 2015
Afghan forces deliver aid after deadly storms February 28, 2015
NATO coalition convoy struck in Kabul February 26, 2015

EU slaps new sanctions on Syria regime backers

Iraq says Islamic State militants 'bulldozed' ancient site

Once a top booster, ex-US envoy no longer backs arming Syrian rebels

Robert Ford was one of the Syrian rebels' loudest cheerleaders in Washington, agitating from within a reluctant administration to arm moderates to fight Bashar Assad's brutal regime. In recent weeks, however, Ford has dropped his call to provide weapons to the rebels.

Iraq says Islamic State militants 'bulldozed' ancient site March 5, 2015
Iranian role in fighting Islamic State in Iraq: Where will it lead? March 5, 2015
Iraqi leader warns troops against reprisals as they attack Tikrit March 5, 2015
Insurgent attacks in Iraqi capital kill at least 16 people March 5, 2015
Kerry seeks to ease Arab concerns of Iran deal March 5, 2015
Syria says it killed military leader of al-Qaida group March 5, 2015
Iranian special operatives free diplomat abducted in Yemen
US draft urges UN to condemn use of chlorine in Syria March 5, 2015
Egypt's el-Sissi replaces interior minister in reshuffle March 5, 2015
Iranian special operatives free diplomat abducted in Yemen March 5, 2015
Attacks in Iraqi capital kill at least 8 people March 5, 2015
Rights group: New Afghan government must end torture, killings by warlords March 4, 2015

UN: Torture ‘regular and prevalent’ in Afghanistan

The Afghan government has made strides in reducing the number of detainees tortured or abused by security forces, but more than a third of those taken prisoner during the conflict still say they’ve faced ill treatment, according to the United Nations.
US, French carriers begin combined airstrikes against Islamic State

A U.S and French carrier strike group have teamed up to conduct operations against the Islamic State group.
Jordan assumes leading role vs. Islamic State militants

Jordan’s small air force has been playing an outsize role in the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the Islamic State group, not only flying more missions than any other partner nation but also opening its bases to other allies to allow them to mount more sorties.
In Kuwait, Carter meets with brass over Islamic State war strategy

As Iraqi troops fight to recapture the Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi from the Islamic State, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter met Monday with U.S. troops and high-ranking officials in neighboring Kuwait to discuss the fight against the terrorist group.
French carrier Charles de Gaulle joins coalition against Islamic State

A French aircraft carrier has joined the coalition fight against Islamic militants in Iraq, French media reports said.
Troop decision looms as Pentagon chief visits Kandahar February 22, 2015
Pentagon chief discusses possible change to Afghanistan plan February 21, 2015
Fragile peace in ‘Taliban birthplace’ is cause for hope and caution February 21, 2015
Carter visits Afghanistan days after taking reins as defense chief February 20, 2015
Barracks under construction in Bahrain to house junior servicemembers February 20, 2015