Iraqi comedian combats jihadists with satire
Two men with fake beards walk into a bar and ask for orange juice and "halal" water, with a wink and a smile to the barman who promptly serves them two glasses of alcohol.
"This round's on the caliph, to mark the first anniversary of the occupation of Mosul," the waiter says before a bomb blast cuts short his reference to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the capture of the northern Iraqi city.
The killing factory: Aleppo's military academy for kids
With Syria’s civil war into its fifth year and showing no sign of letting up, parties from across the board have been recruiting and training children for warfare. Situated in the opposition-controlled outskirts of Aleppo, the Abdul Razzaq Military Academy is one of the most organized programs for preparing youngsters for the battlefield.
How the Iran Deal could reshape the Middle East
The profound changes occurring in the Middle East have led to exaggerated estimates of a decline of U.S. influence in the Middle East.
There is a sense that the U.S. ability to “call the shots” has been diminished, and concern that the United States is likely to withdraw from the region. In fact, the U.S. standing is likely to increase as Washington repositions itself.
