US airstrikes cripple ISIL at Ramadi

The Pentagon estimates that its airstrikes have killed 350 ISIL troops in or near the Anbar capital. Such estimates should not be taken as precise. Nonetheless, when ISIL has to concentrate its troops, as at Kobane, Sinjar, and now Ramadi, airpower can deliver devastating blows.

al Nusrah Front to break from al Qaeda?

The al Nusrah Front is expected to break its affiliation with al Qaeda. This comes after months of efforts by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel to moderate the Syrian rebel force. The Saudis undoubtedly have big plans for the group, probably making them a loyal Sunni force in Syria and possibly western Iraq.

Putin claims to be aiding Free Syrian Army

Russia is trying to detach the FSA from the rebel groups by arming them and providing air support. Russia claims that FSA troops are fighting alongside government troops near Homs. If true, Russia’s position in any negotiations has been strengthened.

RAND study finds strong opposition to women in special forces

The Obama administration is opening all military jobs to women but SF personnel think it;s a bad idea. “An overwhelming majority of those who agreed to respond to the RAND survey said they believe women don’t have the physical strength or mental toughness to do the grueling jobs.”

Grandson of Ayatollah Khomeini to enter politics

Hassan Khomeini, a cleric and descendant of the most revered figure in modern Iran, will run for a seat in the Assembly of Experts  which determines the succession of the Supreme Leader. The grandson has been critical of hardliners, whom he says have hijacked his grandfather’s revolution. He has already won support from Ayatollahs Khatami, a reformer, and Rafsanjani, a centrist.

British politician brands Saudi Arabia a bigger threat than Russia

Labour politician Ken Livingstone has noted that the militant ideology behind ISIL and al Qaeda comes from Saudi Arabia and that it constitutes a bigger threat to Britain than does resurgent Russia.