In recent months, ISIL has shifted its “public relations” campaign from grisly executions to routine government. My contention from 2014 was that ISIL had hit a wall in terms of military expansion and might present itself as the defender of the Sunni faith in Syria and Iraq.
American general calls for limit on US pullback from Afghanistan
In the aftermath of the Taliban’s offensive in the north, the US commander would like a stronger US contingent than called for. This may include a sizable reaction force, with airmobile capability, to quickly strike at Taliban offensives. This could be done by Iranian special forces but the US does not want that. Gen Campbell also noted the presence of ISIL forces in eastern Afghanistan and the possibility that they have there eyes on Jalalabad. That city is on a key supply route from Pakistan. Kunduz is on a key supply route from the north. If they both fall, logistics will bedeck until retaken.
Taliban in north become more international
The Taliban has long been chiefly an Afghan/Pashtun movement. In the north, however, where the offensive in Kunduz is underway, that are drawing from Uzbeks and Uighurs, and Punjabis. The Uzbeks are from the Central Asian just to the north; there have been Uzbeks wit al Qaeda since the nineties. Uighur are from western China and have a presence with ISIL and AQ in Syria and Iraq. Watch them. Punjabis are from Pakistan which has tremendous overpopulation and growing restiveness over the concentration of land in a few hands.
Russia and Syria launch offensive against rebels
Syrian army troops have attacked rebel (non-ISIL) positions today, wit the help of Russian air support. Russian naval vessels fired 26 missiles into Syria from the Caspian Sea. This is likely a case of the Russian navy’s being eager to get into the fray; the missiles themselves are uniquely to have suitable, large targets such as buildings and airfields. NATO reports there are a “substantial number” of Russian troops in Syria now, but bp mention on Russian ground troops being in combat.