Russian-Speaking Jihadists

By Inna Naroditskaya

Last week, New York police arrested three Brooklyn men, immigrants from post-Soviet states Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and charged them with aiding the Islamic State (ISIL).

IS Eager to Confront US Ground Forces in Iraq

By Ali Mamouri

Since first seizing Iraqi territory in June 2014, the Islamic State (IS) has carefully selected targets based on a strategic vision of the regional conflict and global repercussions, often broadcasting its intentions in videos released online.

Assyrians Appeal to International Community for Help Against ISIS

Qamishli, Syria -- Several Syrian human rights organizations released an urgent call to the international community to intervene and stop the attacks of the Islamic State group (IS/ISIS) on the Assyrian villages in the countryside of Tel Temir in Hasakah province, in northeastern Syria.

Assyrians: the Canaries of the Middle East

By Evon Sworesho

The Assyrian Christians of Iraq and Syria are facing an existential threat in the Middle East not only since the recent formation of ISIS, but in fact since the beginning of the Iraq War in 2003. The fall of Saddam Hussein and his Ba'ath regime, as a result of the U.S.

The U.S. National Security Strategy's Lack of Strategy on Religion

By Dr. Chris Seiple

The new U.S. National Security Strategy document, released last month, was ironic at many levels. In the world today, religion is clearly part of the problem--and just as clearly it is a necessary part of any sustainable solution.

Lebanon PM Meets UN Humanitarian Chief Over Refugee Crisis

Beirut -- Prime Minister Tammam Salam discussed with a visiting U.N. official Wednesday an upcoming donor conference designed to ease the burden on countries hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees. Humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, who was accompanied by Ross Mountain, the U.N.

As Airstrikes Damage Islamic State, it Seeks 'Money, Money, Money'

By Mitchell Prothero

IRBIL, IRAQ -- The Islamic State might be the best-funded radical Islamist group, perhaps in history, but the coalition air campaign that's targeting its oil-refining operations and military assets has begun to damage its ability to earn.

Syrian Rebels Reject U.N. Envoy's Ceasefire Plan

By Dasha Afanasieva

(Reuters) -- Syrian rebels dealt a blow to a U.N. envoy's proposal for a ceasefire in the northern city of Aleppo as his team headed there on Tuesday, saying the plan would only benefit the Syrian government at the expense of the opposition. U.N.

Iraqi Drive Against ISIS Reveals Tensions With U.S.

By Anne Barnard

BAGHDAD -- Tensions between Iraq and the United States over how to battle the Islamic State broke into the open on Tuesday, as Iraqi officials declared that they would fight on their own timetable with or without American help, and as United States warplanes conspicuously sat out the biggest Iraqi...

Assyrian Hostage Released By ISIS: We Cannot Go Back to Our Homes

(AINA) -- On February 23 ISIS attacked 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river, in the Hasaka province in Syria, capturing between 262 and 373 Assyrians. The majority of the Assyrians were captured from Tel Shamiran, Tel Hurmiz, Tel Goran and Tel Jazira. ISIS captured 21 Assyrians from Tel Goran.

Assyrians Demonstrate in Cities Around the World

(AINA) -- Assyrians held demonstrations in cities around the world yesterday and today to call attention to the plight of the Assyrians in Khabur region of Hasaka, Syria, whose villages were attacked by ISIS on February 23.

ISIS Releases 4 More Assyrians, Including 6 Year-old Mariana

Hasaka, Syria (AINA) -- Today ISIS released four more Assyrian captives who were captured in the initial attacks on the 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river, in the Hasaka province of Syria. Two Assyrians from Tel Shamiram were released, Yatroun Marko and his wife Wardiyya Yonan.

Message From an Assyrian Fighter in Syria

(AINA) -- On February 23 ISIS attacked 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in the Hasaka province in northeast Syria.

19 Assyrians Released By ISIS But Hundreds Remain Captured

Hasaka, Syria (AINA) -- 19 Assyrians that were captured from the village of Tel Goran have been released by ISIS and have arrived safely at St. Mary's Church in Hasaka, Syria. Negotiations for their release had been ongoing for three days and were mediated by local Arab tribal leaders.

Assyrians Protest ISIS Attacks on Assyrians in Syria

(AINA) -- Assyrians held protests in three world cities today to call attention to the ISIS attacks on Assyrians in Khabur, Syria, which have resulted in the capture of up to 373 Assyrians by ISIS and the destruction of churches in the 35 Assyrian villages in the Khabur river in the Hasaka province...

Conflicting Reports on Release of Some of the Assyrians Held By ISIS

Hasaka, Syria (AINA) -- Assyrian activists are reporting that 18 to 21 Assyrians that were captured by ISIS from the village of Tel Goran have been released. AINA has not been able to verify these reports.

The Genocide of Assyrians That Started in Iraq Continues in Syria

By Peter BetBasoo

(AINA) -- On Monday, February 23 ISIS attacked 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in the Hassaka province in northeast Syria (AINA 2015-02-23). At least 9 Assyrians fighters were killed defending their villages. Up to 373 Assyrians were captured.

Why the Western Diagnosis of the Syrian Conflict Is Wrong

By Mark Tomass

(AINA) -- The dominant Western narrative that has framed the Syrian conflict as that of a "tyrant killing his people" suffers from a fatal misunderstanding of the sectarian and political structure of Syrian society.

ISIS Undiminished As Assyrian and Yazidi Refugees Suffer

By Nahren Anweya

(AINA) -- We have been witnessing the most horrendous and catastrophic events that have taken place in the Middle East since the Turks and Kurds conducted the genocide in World War One against the Assyrians, Armenians, and Greeks.

Multiculturalism and the Overturning of Traditional Loyalties

By Peter Ahern

(AINA) -- Feature films often provide a valuable insight into social trends. Two Australian films about the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War illustrate the point.

From High School Dropout to Top Couture Designer

By Rosaline Walters

Thomas Lazar left high school in Year 11 but today, the Edensor Park designer has been chosen to show his couture gowns at one of Australia's most prestigious fashion shows -- Fashion ­Palette.

California Lavash: Ancient, Exotic, Versatile

By Janos Gereben

Lilea Eshoo's family business, California Lavash, began in a garage -- not unlike some other successful Silicon Valley ventures.