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This article talks about a senior figure of ISIS by the name of Tarkhan Batirashvili. It turns out, one of the big figures at the head of ISIS is far from Syrian, as he is a Chechen that served in the US-trained Georgian army.

Strategic Retreat The self-proclaimed Islamic State has lost at least three Syrian cities and towns in the past six weeks, including one over the weekend, each time by walking away from the fight. And yet the Pentagon is not sure whether to celebrate ISIS's losses or brace for even bigger fights against the group than it already anticipated for key ISIS cities like Mosul and Raqqa. Isis has learned over the course of their history in Syria that they must choose their battles, and defend key properties that they must have to survive.

This article gives an overview of international law in regards to wars. It also explores the U.S.'s and Saudi Arabia's roles in the war.

British plans to send troops to Libya could result in another Afghanistan-style disaster, according to a former army colonel who led a "calamitous" mission in the war-ravaged North African state in 2012. Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Wieloch told the Telegraph on Monday that British involvement carried " a great danger of mission creep.

"Hezbollah fighters and the Syrian army thwarted an attack by ISIS militants on their posts near Lebanon's border overnight Monday, the Hezbollah-affiliated War Media Center said."

On May 22, 1990, the Marxist South Yemen and conservative North Yemen were unified. A civil war broke out in 1994 between the two sides due to southern secessionists.

Turkey's role in this war is interesting. Accused of loosening border restrictions to let foreign fighters enter Syria, Turkey is now accusing EU countries of doing the same. There is a huge number of foreign fighters in Syria and it is hard to believe that EU countries had no idea these people were leaving.

Another issue Turkey is constantly dealing with, is the problem with the thousands of Syrian refugees at their border, in addition to the mini-civil war w/the Kurds, and its questionable oil business with ISIS. This article points out Erdogan's requests for the EU to deliver more funds to control the border situation. Different point of view from the other two articles I bookmarked this week.

Video: Confidence and optimism brimming in Iran - Iran is up-and-coming power of the Middle East - Only one serious about fighting ISIS. All human societies should unite and wage war against them - Wants better relations with the world Obama remains skeptical and recommends that the threat of sanctions should remain sound until final nuclear agreement with Iran is reached.

Mohammed bin Salman is young Saudi prince. He still in his early 30's, and his father, king Salman, assign him to be the defense minster.

Though once living in toleration and nonviolence, Kurdish forces and governement forces clash with numerous casualties, creating new and rising tensions. Government claims to have been supporting Kurdish military, but PYD denies any ties to the government

Saudi Arabia and Egypt are allies, intervening to support Sunnis against the Houthis. Also Saudi Arabia in indirect conflict with Iran, which imposer the Huthis

Syria is determined to keep Russia in the loop when it comes to its presence in the Middle East. As the United States increases its presence so to those Russia and Syria claims that they encourage Russian presence solely to "keep the balance" in the Middle East. 

Eni SpA, an Italian energy company, has been operating in Libya for fifty years. They are the only international oil company operating in the increasingly hostile and destabilized country. The article suggests that the company's long-term presence has allowed it to make alliances with some of the militant groups responsible for overthrowing Qadafi.