Current Events and Links

See also:
Mystery Babylon
Terrorism
Persecution
War in Iraq
Syria
War in America
Wars and Rumors of War
Peace

GOP Demands Obama Take Action on ISIS

Aug. 25, 2014 - A number of high-profile Republican lawmakers appeared on Sunday talk shows with a similar quesion: What strategy does President Obama have for defeating the Islamic State before more American lives are lost to the terrorist group? The dignitaries included Arizona Senator John McCain, New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, and Michigan Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

McCain told Fox News' Chris Wallace,

"There is no boundary between Syria and Iraq. Oone of the key decisions the president is going to have to make is air power in Syria. We cannot give them a base of operations. And we have got to help the Free Syrian Army."

Source: NewsMax

Prophetic Significance of Iraq

US, UK eye rapper as British-born militant who beheaded journalist James Foley

Aug. 24, 2014 -

A senior Western intelligence official told Fox News that 23-year-old London rapper Abde Majed Abdel Bary is the suspect believed to be Foley's executioner.

Bary's father, who was born in Egypt, is in prison in the United States for his alleged connection to Osama bin Laden and the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Africa.

Bary traveled to Syria last year to fight with ISIS.

Source: Fox

ISIS 'beyond anything that we've ever seen,' Hagel warns

Aug. 21, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a press conference,

"ISIL is as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen. . . They're beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded."

Hagel added that this threat is beyond anything that we've seen, and because of that, we must prepare for everything.

Source: Fox

Islamic State militants pose 'biggest threat' to US - BBC

Republican: ISIS developing means to ‘blow up’ a US city - Sen. James Inhofe said ISIS members are “rapidly developing a method of blowing up a major U.S. city and people just can’t believe that’s happening.” - The Hill

Analyst doubts Obama has the guts to destroy ISIS - OneNewsNow

WSJ Editorial: Will Obama Do What it Takes to Defeat ISIS?

Aug. 21, 2014 - An editorial in the Wall Street Journal commended President Obama for his passionate rebuke of the Islamic State (or ISIS) after the beheading of American journalist James Foley. The president denounced the jihadists for rampaging across cities and villages and killing innocent civilians, including Sunni and Shia Muslims as well as religious minorities and Christians.

"All of this is horribly true," the Journal editorialized. "It was also true a year ago. The question now — what the world wants to know now, Mr. President — is what are you going to do about it?"

The article opined that the President must turn from his fixation on ending President Bush's wars, and do what is necessary to defeat ISIS, which has declared war against us.

Source:NewsMax

Beheading video prompts calls for US to escalate campaign against ISIS

Aug. 20, 2014 -

Military analysts and U.S. lawmakers say the apparent beheading of an American journalist by Islamic State terrorists should be a wake-up call to the need to dismantle the organization which has taken root in Iraq and Syria.

A video has been released purportedly showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley. This is the first time the Islamic State has killed an American citizen. They are now threatening to kill another American journalist if President Obama continues to conduct air strikes against them.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, told reporters that the video underscores the need to develop a clear strategy for defeating the terrorist group. He said the Islamic state is dangerous and should be dismantled.

Source: Fox

James Foley 'beheading': West condemns 'barbaric' murder - BBC

Iraq crisis: Military claims control of Mosul dam

Aug. 18, 2014 - According to Iraqi military spokesman Lt-Gen Qassim Atta, Kurdish forces, supported by US air strikes, have reclaimed the dam near Mosul - Iraq's largest.

However, journalists in the area said fighting was continuing and jihadists remained in control of the main gate.
An Islamic State statement also contradicted the military's claim, saying it had repelled Kurdish fighters and inflicted heavy losses.

Source: BBC

Sunni tribal leaders offer to battle Islamic State if Baghdad makes concessions - Sydney Morning Herald

David Cameron defends 'clear' Iraq strategy - BBC

'Islamic State' Message to America: 'We Will Drown All of You in Blood' - NewsMax

Iraq crisis: Maliki to step aside to end deadlock

Aug. 14, 2014 -

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has agreed to step aside, ending political deadlock in Baghdad as the government struggles against insurgents. Reports say he will back Haider al-Abadi, who has already been asked by Iraq's president to form a government.

Source: BBC

130 more U.S. military advisers arrive in northern Iraq

Aug. 13, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced the deployment of an additional 130 "advisers" to northern Iraq. He said, "This is not a combat boots on the ground kind of operation." The personell are Marines and special operations forces. Their task is assess the humanitarian crisis in the Sinjar mountains and ways to end it.

Source: USA Today

US likely to arm Iraq's new government with weapons to fight Isis - The Guardian

Officials: Pentagon considering rescue mission for Iraqis trapped on mountain - Fox

Vatican calls on Muslim leaders to condemn Christian persecution in Iraq - Thke Guardian - UK

Iraq crisis: France to deliver arms to Iraqi Kurds - BBC

ISIS Adapts To US Airstrikes – Much Like Vietnamese - Breaking Defense

How ISIS and other jihadists persuaded thousands of Westerners to fight their war of extremism - Washington Post

British brothers fighting for Isis in Syria were groomed by extremists using Violent Video Game "Call of Duty" - Daily Mail

Western Sex Slaves for ISIS: The Twisted Psychology of Jihad Brides - Breitbart

Vatican calls on Muslim leaders to condemn Christian persecution in Iraq - Prophecy Central - Islam Section

ISIS Abducts over 500 Yazidi Women, Girls as 'War Booty' - Breitbart

US air strikes in Iraq will have minimal impact on Isis – Pentagon

Aug. 12, 2014 - Army Lt Gen William Mayville, a senior Pentagon planning officer says that the current air strikes will not stop ISIS (ISIL).

"So I in no way want to suggest that we have effectively contained or that we are somehow breaking the momentum of the threat posed by Isil.”

He believes that ISIS will "look for other things to do, to pick up and move elsewhere."

Maryville did say that the US strikes have given US-backed Kurdish irregular forces, known as Peshmerga, “time to fortify their defensive positions.”

Source: The Guardian

ISIS Swallowing Iraq: 'They're Beheading Children' - CBN

Wahhabi preacher teaches ‘beheading with pleasure’ - InSerbia

- Telegraph - UK

Iraq crisis: 'It is death valley. Up to 70 per cent of them are dead' - IJReview

5-year-old Christian boy cut in half by ISIS - WND

Iraq: Islamic militants 'buried women and children alive in attack that killed 500'

Aug. 11, 2014 - In Iraq, a government official lamented the plight of civilians who are being slaughtered by the ISIS terrorist group.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said his government had evidence that 500 Yazidi civilians had been killed so far, and that some of the victims had been buried alive. A further 300 Yazidi women have been kidnapped as slaves, he added.

Source: Belfast Telegraph - UK

Iraq president asks Abadi to succeed PM Nouri Maliki - BBC

US Dispatching 100 Missions a Day Over War-Torn Iraq - NewsMax

7-year-old jihadi poses with severed head - WND

Maliki Rejects Pick of al-Abadi to Form New Iraqi Government - Bloomberg

URGENT STATEMENT OF THE CHALDEAN PATRIARCH - On Alarming Situation of 130,000 Refugees and Other Grave Matters - Chaldean Catholic Patriarch

ISIS Swallowing Iraq: 'They're Beheading Children' - CNN

ISIS Rising

Aug. 10, 2014 - Hal Lindsey explains the seriousness of the rise of the powerful terrorist group ISIS. He says it may signal the "complete reshaping of the situation in the Middle East." General Jack Keane, former Army Chief of Staff, said, “This is the most significant threat to the Middle East that I’ve ever observed.”

ISIS claims to be a new Islamic caliphate and is now calling itself simply “The Islamic State.” Lindsey warns that if they take complete control of Syria, or its other targets -- Jordan and Lebanon -- this radical caliphate will be next door to Israel.

At this time Lebanon's Hezbollah is helping Syria resist ISIS.

Hezbollah is Shi’ia Muslim while ISIS is Sunni Muslim, which makes them practically mortal enemies. Since ISIS is now stirring in Lebanon, Hezbollah may have to withdraw and return home to defend Lebanon. If that happens, Syria’s fall is more likely.

Source: Hall Lindsey

US conducts 2nd airdrop of food, water to Iraqi refugees after airstrikes

Aug. 9, 2014 -

On Friday, the U.S. military launched two more rounds of airstrikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq, taking out two mortar positions and a seven-vehicle convoy, the Pentagon said.

A second airdrop of food and water was also accomplished by U.S. forces. Three planes dropped more than 28,000 meals and more than 1,500 gallons of water for refugees stranded in Iraq's Sinjar mountains.

Source: Fox

Obama on Iraq: 'This is going to be a long-term project' - Obama warned Americans that the new campaign to bring security in Iraq requires military and political changes and “is going to be a long-term project.” - The Globe and Mail

Obama 'doesn't know what to do in Iraq' - WND

US launches four airstrikes against Islamic militants in Iraq - Fox

Update: 8/10/14 - Report: 'Islamic State' Terrorists Killed 500 Yazidis, Buried Some Victims Alive - NewsMax

The Yezedi - Religion Facts

Who are the Yezedis? - Yezedi Truth

First Air Strike Against Islamic State

Aug. 8, 2014 -

The Pentagon said American aircraft attacked artillery that was being used in northern Iraq against Kurdish forces defending the city of Irbil.
President Barack Obama authorized air strikes on Thursday, but said he would not send US troops back to Iraq.

Source: BBC

Iraq: US air strike on Islamic State militants in Iraq - BBC

US Begins Carrying Out Airstrikes against Islamic State - Tens of thousands of religious minorities targeted by IS, also known as ISIS, are trapped in the mountains, including the Yazidis, who follow an ancient religion with ties to Zoroastrianism. - CBN

Obama authorises Iraq strikes to protect Christians, prevent 'genocide' - Reuters

U.S. Aircraft Bomb Militants in Iraq After Obama Opens Door for Strikes - Two F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near Erbil. . . the site of a U.S. consulate and where dozens of American military advisers are stationed. - Time

President Obama's statement on the Crisis in Iraq - White House

Who Are the Yazidi, and Why Is ISIS Targeting Them? - NBC

Obama approves mission to drop humanitarian aid in Iraq

Aug. 7, 2014 -

President Obama has approved a mission to to drop humanitarian aid in Iraq for the 40,000 or so religious minorities stranded on a mountaintop in the country's north after Islamic militants forced them to flee.

The air drop has already taken place. C-130 and C-17 cargo aircraft participated, escorted by F-18 fighters.

Source: Fox

Obama authorizes airstrikes in Iraq to stop genocide - USA Today

Official: Kurdish forces fend off ISIS fighters, hold Mosul Dam

Aug. 7, 2014 - It had been reported that militants from the newly formed Islamic State (formerly the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS) had taken control of Iraq's largest hydroelectric dam, which is on the Tigris River just north of Iraq's second largest city, Mosul. However, fierce resistance by the Kurdish forces there kept the dam from being overtaken, and reinforcements arrived early Monday morning.

Source: CNN

Iraqi militants crush resistance and continue towards Baghdad

July 23 - Having established a reputation for extreme violence, the Islamic State jihadist group continues to capture more areas in its march toward Baghdad. They capture key families in an area and then threaten to kill them unless the local government give up control of their towns.

U.S. military and Iraqi security officials estimate the Islamic State has at least 3,000 fighters in Iraq, rising towards 20,000 when new recruits since last month's blitzkrieg are included.

Source:Haaretz

Syria-Iraq 'caliph' incites Muslims to holy war

July 2, 2014 - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claiming to be caliph of the new "Islamic State," carved out from the terrorist advances in Syria and Iraq, issued a call to Muslims everywhere to join the jihad [holy war] and be part of a "new era" in which Muslims will ultimately triumph.

Baghdadi, who has assumed the mediaeval title of caliph, used the message to seek to assert authority over Muslims everywhere. He called on them to rise up and avenge the alleged wrongs committed against their religion, from Central African Republic to Myanmar (Burma)

Source: Reuters

ISIS Leader: 'Soon... A Day Will Come When the Muslim Will Walk Everywhere as a Master' - Breitbart

Sunni militants declare Islamic state in Iraq and Syria - Fox

Sunni rebels declare new 'Islamic caliphate' - Al Jazeera

Official Document claiming to establish a caliphate

Here's What We Know About The 'Caliph' Of The New 'Islamic State' [ Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi] - Business Insider

U.S., Israel aid Jordan amid ISIS threat - Aaron Kline - WND

See the Terrifying ISIS Map Showing Its 5-Year Expansion Plan - ABC

Successors to the prophet: Islam's caliphates - Yahoo

Iraqi Kurds dig frontier around disputed areas - Times of Israel

Jay Smith and Sid Cordle at Speaker's Corner - Hyde Park - What is ISIS? - YouTube

Witness claims ISIS flag flies over key Iraq refinery, Baghdad says soldiers still hold it

July 1, 2014 - A witness driving by the oil refinery in Beiji, Iraq, claimed that the flag of the ISIS militants flew over the facility, However, government forces say they stilll hold the complex and are in regular contact with Baghdad.

Source: Fox

Satellite View: Iraq Oil Refinery Fire Visible From Space - NBC

U.S., Israel aid Jordan amid ISIS threat - Aaron Kline - WND

See the Terrifying ISIS Map Showing Its 5-Year Expansion Plan - ABC

Successors to the prophet: Islam's caliphates - Yahoo

Israel offers to help Arab nations over Iraq crisis

Jun. 28, 2014 - As ISIS (ISIL), the Islamic terrorists continue their lightning offensive in Iraq and threaten other nations, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman offered help from Israel for moderate Arab nations. Lieberman was meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry when he said,

"Israel could provide effective and reliable assistance to moderate Arab states who are dealing with extremists."

Source: Yahoo

After Syria bombs Iraq, growing fears of regional conflict

Jun. 27, 2014 - Two days ago Syrian warplanes bombed Sunni militants’ positions inside Iraq, sparking concern that the Iraqi crisis could become a wider regional conflict. Iran has been flying surveillance drone in Iraq. Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey all conducting recon flights inside their own airspace. U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, warned othese nations to stay out of Iraq.

Meanwhile, a new insurgent artillery offensive against Christian villages in the north of Iraq sent thousands of Christians fleeing from their homes, seeking sanctuary in Kurdish-controlled territory, Associated Press reporters who witnessed the scene said.

Source: Times of Israel

Did The US Build The Antichrist’s HQ? – New Babylon?

Jun. 26, 2014 - Events in Iraq could signal the formation of a new Islamic caliphate, or empire. Ancient Babylon's ruins are on the outskirts of Baghdad. Saddam Hussein had done extensive rebuilding of the site before he was deposed and ultimately killed. There is now a large tourist resort in that area. The US Embassy is also in Baghdad, and the writer of this article suggests that it could be a suitable headquarters for the future Antichrist.

We need to remember that US Embassy in Iraq is the most “wired” technically as well as battle ready fortresses in all the world. It is also larger than the Vatican State.

Source: Ray Gano - Prophezine

The coming Islamic Messiah is the Antichrist - Antichrist Theories - Prophecy Central

Editor's Note: Prophecy Central generally reports developments that demonstrate the European Union's influence toward the prophecied one-world government of the End Times, but some of our friends and fellow-prophecy-students, including Ray Gano, propose that the final evil government will be Islamic and Antichrist could be a Muslim.

Iraqi PM Rejects Forming Emergency Government

Jun. 25, 2014 - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has rejected the concept of a unity government, saying that it would be contrary to the nation's constitution and the results of its recent elections.

Both [US Secretary of State John] Kerry and President Barack Obama have been urging Iraq to install a government that is inclusive of Iraq's Sunni and Kurdish minorities.
Maliki's Shi'ite-led government has faced criticism of sidelining the minorities and breeding sectarian tensions.

Source: Voice of America

Could Saudi Arabia Be the Next ISIS Conquest? - Vocative

ISIS preparing to attack Lebanon - WND

ISIL hell-bent on creating Islamic state to be launchpad for attacks on U.S. - Jewish World Review

ISIS joins forces with Saddam loyalists in bid to take Baghdad

Jun. 23, 2014 - Many of Saddam Hussein's top generals, and others who are loyal to his Baathist party, have quietly maintained their goal of reclaiming their country. Now they have found a formidable ally in the ISIS jihadis who have taken over much of Iraq in a blitz, and are threatening to invade Baghdad.

"[We are] unified by the same goal, which is getting rid of this sectarian government, ending this corrupt army and negotiating to form a Sunni Region,” a senior Baathist leader told FoxNews.com.

Source: Fox

Iraq crisis: Sunni militants kill judge who ordered Saddam Hussain's hanging - Decan Chronicle

ISIS threatens to storm Jordan with 15,000 fighters - WND

Shiite villagers describe ISIS 'massacre' in northern Iraq - Fox

Iraqi leaders seen as desperate as Kerry arrives in Baghdad

Jun. 23, 2014 - As Iraqi towns continued to fall to the advancing Sunni insurgents, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry flew into Baghdad for a series of meetings with Iraqi leaders. During this trip the U.S. team switched their terminology for the ISIS rebels. Initially they were calling them "a highly capable and sophisticated terrorist organization [that] is also essentially a criminal syndicate." They now refer to the attackers as an "army."

Source: Fox

Convert to Islam or face the sword: Iraqi Christians flee cities captured by extremists known to kill non-Muslims - National Post

Major U.S. city next target for Islamic terror - F. Michael Maloof - WND

Iraq militants take Syria border post in drive for caliphate

Jun. 22, 2014 - On Friday the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continued its occupation of Iraqi areas by invading al-Qaim, a key border town.

Sunni fighters have seized a border post on the Iraq-Syria frontier, security sources said, smashing a line drawn by colonial powers a century ago in a campaign to create an Islamic Caliphate from the Mediterranean Sea to Iran.

Source: Today Online

Four western Iraqi towns fall to advancing ISIS militants - CNN

Editor's Note: Most of the Western press is calling this group ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), but the group calls itself the State of Iraq and Al-Sham. This name is translated by some news services as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). The Levant is a term that describes the geographic and cultural region consisting of Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and part of southern Turkey (the former Aleppo Vilayet) - Wikipedia

ISIS Captures Saddam's Chemical Weapons Complex

Jun. 20, 2014 - The radical Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has continued its blitz advance through Iraq, and has now captured Iraq's largest oil refinery. In addition, they have occupied a massive chemical weapons complex.

ISIS fighters on Thursday seized the al-Muthanna complex, located 60 miles north of Baghdad, which was a central base of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons program and stores hundreds of tons of lethal mustard and sarin gas, reports the Telegraph.

Source: Israel National News

Senators blast Obama foreign policy as political war over Iraq heats up

Jun. 19, 2014 - Today a string of Senators spoke today against the Obama administration's foreign policy in the Middle East and their response to the growing Iraq crisis.

"These recent events ... are not intelligence failures. They are policy and leadership failures," Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said, claiming the president's Middle East policy has "totally unraveled."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that the decision to withdraw entirely from Iraq had caused the current crisis.

Source: Fox

Obama eyes ‘special forces’ option in Iraq, meeting with Hill leaders

Jun. 18, 2014 - President Obama is reportedly leaning toward sending approximately 100 special forces into Iraq to train their military.

White House officials stress that several options remain on the table and no decision has been made. But the president reportedly has, for now, ruled out using airstrikes against the Al Qaeda-inspired Sunni Muslim insurgency.

Source: Fox

More US Troops to Iraq; Special Forces Considered

Jun 16,2014 -

The U.S. is urgently deploying several hundred armed troops in and around Iraq and considering sending an additional contingent of special forces soldiers as Baghdad struggles to repel a rampant insurgency,

Source: ABC

Obama tells Congress U.S. deploying up to 275 troops to Iraq - Chicago Tribune

Calls for US airstrikes in Iraq - WOKV

US weighs alliance with Iran to counter ISIS, boosts presence in Gulf

Jun. 16, 2014 - The U.S. may have direct talks with Iran about cooperation in the Iraq crisis. Iran is a Shia nation--opposed to the rebellion by Sunni terrorists in Iraq.

The deliberations come as the U.S. moved more assets into the region in preparation for a possible mass evacuation of Americans. According to U.S. Navy officials, the USS Mesa Verde is moving into the Persian Gulf with about 500 Marines on board.

The USS Mesa Verde is an amphibious transport ship. It will be the fourth U.S. Naval vessel to enter the Gulf. The others are the USS George HW Bush, an aircraft carrier, the USS Philippines Sea, a cruiser, and the USS Truxton, a destroyer.

Source: Fox

Obama Nears Talks with Iran as Iraq Terrorists Rapidly Advance - NewsMax

Iraq conflict: Sunni militant push on Baghdad 'halted'

Jun. 16, 2014 - The threat to Baghdad by ISIS has been slowed by the mobilization of the Iraqi military and Shia militant groups.

Iraq's most senior Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has issued a call to arms to fellow Shia, and there are reports that thousands have already joined militias.

The U.S. has an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. The Kurds in the northern part of Iraq and the Iranians are also helping stem the uprising.

Source: BBC Note: ISIS stands for The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant--Some are calling it The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. It is an offshoot from al-Qaeda.

As jihadists take aim at Baghdad, Iran steps in to help historical foe - Fox

John McCain: ISIS Will Attack America - NewsMax

Mad dream of dead empire unites Islamic rebels - WND

US scrambles to evacuate Americans from Iraq chaos

Jun. 14, 2014 - Iraq is on the brink of disintegration. Private companies are withdrawing workers who are in danger of kidnappings or attacks.

The United States rushed Thursday to evacuate hundreds of Americans from Iraq and was desperately making plans to rescue thousands of others as advancing al Qaeda-inspired forces vowed to attack Baghdad and topple the government.

Source: NY Post

ISIS: The first terror group to build an Islamic state?

Jun. 13, 2014 -

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has thrived and mutated during the ongoing civil war in Syria and in the security vacuum that followed the departure of the last American forces from Iraq.

ISIS is in the process of creating an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and in Syria. Because of the collapse of state authority it has suddenly taken control of hundreds of square miles from Syria's Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad.

Source: CNN

ISIS, beheadings and the success of horrifying violence - Washington Post

Iraq crisis: ISIS militants push towards Baghdad - Telegraph - UK

Iran Deploys Forces to Fight al Qaeda-Inspired Militants in Iraq - Wall Street Journal - Ed. Note: Iran is opposed to ISIS because ISIS wants a Sunni alliance (caliphate), while Iran would build a Shia' alliance.

Obama pledges US support to Iraq as Isis militants approach Baghdad - Guardian - UK

Realtime Coverage: Crisis in Iraq

Jun 12, 2014 - Follow the rapidly developing revolution in Iraq. Sunni terrorists threaten to overturn the government!

Source: Google

US mulls air strikes as Iraqi jihadists advance towards Baghdad - Times of India

Iraq Sunni Militant Group Vows to March on Baghdad - ABCNews

Saudis 'arming jihadists' seizing Iraqi cities - WND

WSJ: US Caught Off Guard by Iraqi Insurgency - NewsMax

Obama: All options open on Iraq - BBC

Iraq Crisis: What is ISIS?

Jun. 11, 2014 -

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which dealt a spectacular blow to Baghdad's Shiite-led government by grabbing Iraq's second city Mosul, now poses a threat across the Middle East.

Source: Telegraph, U.K.

State of Emergency: ISIS radical jihadists “sweeping towards Baghdad,” capture $429 million from Mosul’s central bank. Christians on the run. Latest developments. - Joel Rosenberg - Flashtraffic

UN condemns Iraqi militant attacks - BBC

After insurgent gains, Iraqi government mulls dwindling options - Al Jazeera

Report: Iraq Welcoming US Support in Combating al Qaeda - Jewish Political Updates

US Says Iraqi Insurgents Pose Mideast Threat - Voice of America

Iraq Militants, Pushing South, Aim at Capital - N.Y. Times

Violence Escalates in Iraq as Insurgents Overrun Mosul and Tikrit

Jun. 11, 2014 - An al-Qaida inspired group took control of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, yesterday. Today a second key city, Tikrit suffered the same fate.

Islamist militants overran the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit and freed hundreds of prisoners from its jails on Wednesday, as rebels seized a second key Iraqi city in as many days and further destabilized the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Iraq declares “emergency” as ISIS, an al Qaeda breakaway faction, captures key city of Mosul. What is ISIS and why is it important? - Joel Rosenberg - FlashTraffic