MUST-READS

• Syria
  Perspective: Why Assad Is Losing

  Considering the immense complexity of the northern Syrian insurgency, the opposition’s gains in Idlib therefore represent an impressive feat. But planning alone did not ensure the victories: The operations also displayed a far improved level of coordination between rival factions, spanning from U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) brigades, to moderate and conservative Syrian Islamists, to al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and several independent jihadist factions. Although this went largely unacknowledged by the groups involved — and while media coverage broadly portrayed the Idlib offensives as “jihadist” or al Qaeda-led — the reality on the ground was that the recent offensive brought together many groups holding very different ideologies.

• Anti-ISIS Campaign: Iraq
  Iraq sends troops to key refinery amid heavy clashes with IS

  Iraq's military spokesman says reinforcements are being rushed to the key Beiji refinery north of Baghdad amid heavy fighting there with Islamic State militants.

• Capital Market Authority
  Euromoney Riyadh: What is the CMA, What about QFI? – Jadaan

  The major restructuring of the Saudi government that accompanied the ascension of King Salman in January brought Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Jadaan into office as President of the Capital Market Authority. This week the new leader of the CMA spoke with Richard Banks at the Euromoney Conference in Riyadh

• Texas Shooting
  Did ISIS Really Mastermind Texas Shooting? Experts Doubtful

  The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria claimed that the gunmen at a Texas cartoon exhibition were “soldiers of the caliphate,” but experts say that it’s still unclear if and what ties really existed.

• Israel - Russia
  Russian Missile Sale to Iran Involves Unseen Deals With Israel

  But behind the public announcements is a little-known web of arms negotiations and secret diplomacy. In recent years, Israel and Russia have engaged in a complex dance, with Israel selling drones to Russia while remaining conspicuously neutral toward Ukraine and hoping to stave off Iranian military development. The dance may not be over.

• Maersk Tigris
  State: US trying to get Marshall Islands ship back from Iran

  The U.S. is trying to secure the release of a Marshall Islands-flagged ship from Iran, which has become the latest thorn in the U.S.-Iran relationship as both sides inch closer to a June 30 deadline for a nuclear deal.

  • Defense One - Analysis: Iran’s Disingenuous Approach To Maritime Law
• Iran Negotiations: U.S. Congress
  In Senate GOP’s Iran Standoff, the Rebels Are Losing

  Many Republicans are ready to rebuff freshman Sens. Tom Cotton and Marco Rubio, who have offered measures that could upturn a broadly popular Iran nuclear review bill. They say Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has no choice but to leave behind scores of other GOP amendments, which still frustrates many who wanted to add their voice to the process.

  • Al-Monitor - Arab states worry over Senate's 'Jewish State' debate
• U.S. - GCC Summit
  Obama expected to push for Gulf missile defense at U.S. summit

  President Barack Obama is expected to make a renewed U.S. push next week to help Gulf allies create a region-wide defense system to guard against Iranian missiles as he seeks to allay their anxieties over any nuclear deal with Tehran, according to U.S. sources.

  • CSIS - A Key Moment for The Gulf Cooperation Council
• Somalia
  Kerry makes historic visit to Somalia, where mission is far from done

  Kerry, the first U.S. secretary of State to ever visit Somalia, spent only three hours and never left the airport in Mogadishu, the capital. He met with Somalia's president and prime minister and other leaders.

• Afghanistan
  Afghanistan’s Endless War: Between the US, Taliban and ISIL

  War is largely a seasonal activity in Afghanistan. Winters are harsh and fighters need to work fields and tend herds. With spring, another fighting season is underway. This year will be different from its many predecessors. US ground troops are no longer engaged in large numbers; the Afghan National Army is assuming the burden of combat; war-weariness is plain on all sides.

  • AP - Afghan Judge Sentences 4 to Death in Mob Killing of Woman
  • AP - US due to stop managing Afghan airspace by end of June
  • The Atlantic - The First Battle of the 21st Century
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