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"Islamists in the Philippines pledged allegiance to ISIS, devastated a city and built a model for jihadists after the fall of Raqqa."

"Its de facto capital is falling. Its territory has shriveled from the size of Portugal to a handful of outposts. Its surviving leaders are on the run."

The independence dream was felled by a lightening advance by Iraqi counter-terror units, trained and equipped by the U.S., and Shi’ite militias, trained and equipped by Iran.

"Isnilon Hapilon and a fellow siege leader were killed in a battle to free Marawi from Isis-linked militants, officials say."

"Trump’s declaration comes as Baghdad government forces push into Kirkuk amid conflict with Kurds over disputed territory, threatening to disprupt fight against Islamic State."

"Elite Iraqi forces take control of local government building in Kirkuk."

The Peshmerga General Command has said the attack on Kirkuk by the Iranian Quds-backed Iraqi forces and the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi is “a flagrant declaration of war against Kurdistan.”

"Kurdish Peshmerga troops left the city of Kirkuk on Monday after Iraqi troops captured vital installations in and around the city."

"Clashes broke out early Monday as Iraqi forces moved to recapture Kurdish-held oil fields and a military base near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk."

Secretary Mattis is urging Kurdish and Iraqi forces gathered on the outskirts of Kirkuk to "tone everything down" as Kurdish officials continue to warn of an imminent Iraqi invasion.

"Kurdish security officials say Iraq wants to regain oil wells and installations in Kirkuk province."

Trump's new policy on Afghanistan, which pressures Pakistan to take more action against terrorists or face consequences, may be having an effect.

"U.S. military troops in Afghanistan have begun working with smaller Afghan units to prepare them for a more aggressive offensive against the Taliban."

"The FDF has managed a feat that other armed forces could learn from: it has made itself an attractive destination for conscripts and professional troops alike."

The Army has accelerated fielding of its security force assistance brigades. As a result, the first SFAB, which is training now at Fort Benning, Georgia, may deploy as early as February.

“Bergdahl’s trial had been scheduled to begin Oct. 23, but those dates are expected to be used for sentencing now.”

"The theft, which hasn’t been disclosed, is considered by experts to be one of the most significant security breaches in recent years."

American troop deployments to Afghanistan to support the Trump administration’s new strategy there have lagged due to the military's ongoing support of hurricane relief efforts.

Defense News was given an exclusive interview with Heritage expert Dakota Wood, who edited the over 400-page report, ahead of its formal release.

A Belfer Center report by former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

"The world could be excused for thinking that another war was about to break out in Iraq."

"The administration’s Afghanistan strategy has a new acronym, one which the Pentagon’s top officials say will lay the groundwork for a stable Afghanistan in the future."

The outgoing head of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency urged analysts there to “speak truth to power” despite any political pressures they may face.

"The Pentagon’s top leaders defended the Trump administration’s new strategy for Afghanistan in detail Tuesday, saying that it will last as long as is needed."

"U.S. forces in Africa this week staged what would have been an otherwise unremarkable attack against Islamic State extremists but for one key detail."