Amid political paralysis in Baghdad, the populist Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is pressuring lawmakers to approve Prime Minister Abadi’s proposed reforms, says expert Mohamad Bazzi. 

Without a capable military partner on the ground, the United States and its allies will likely consider introducing special forces in the battle against ISIS, says expert Frederic C. Hof.

With air strikes now underway in two countries, Washington must pursue a sustained campaign against ISIS militants, with initial emphasis on routing them in Iraq, says expert Ryan Crocker.

The recent rise in Islamist violence in Bangladesh is caught up in a polarizing political debate over the country’s identity.

Iraq’s campaign to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State and restore the Iraqi government’s authority requires coordination among numerous armed groups with competing interests.