ISIL claims 1600 recruits in eastern Afghanistan
The Taliban is splintering and ISIL is picking up support. The claim of 1600 newcomers may not be accurate but ISIL has found support. It is noteworthy that the area of success is in eastern Afghanistan where a slew of internationalist jihadis have long been ensconced with support from the Pakistani military which use them against India. It is possible that the splintering of the Taliban and the rise of ISIL can lead to negotiations with Kabul granting autonomy to some Taliban groups in exchange for their fighting ISIL. Possible.
Turkish troops deploy into Kurdistan
The move comes at the invitation of the local governor, but at the annoyance of the Shia-Arab government in Baghdad. Turkey benefits from Kurdish oil exports through its territory and from engineering projects in Kurdistan. The move comes as Kurdish troops skirmish with Kurdish Shia militias which have aligned with Iraqi militias.
Is Assad finding limited support in the West?
French foreign minister Fabius has said that Assad’s hit from Syria is not essential. Other western powers have at least equivocated on the matter. It is essential that there be a Shia=Alawi region in a settlement and Assad may be the least murderous figure in his government.