MUST-READS

• Global ISIS Strategy
  As U.S. seeks commitments in fight against Islamic State, its focus is tightly on Iraq

  President Obama and his top national security officials are fanning out across the globe this week and next, seeking commitments to help the Iraqi government in its fight against Islamic State militants. Those expecting an international action plan against the Islamic State in neighboring Syria are likely to be disappointed.

  • Reuters - U.S. says forms 'core coalition' to counter Iraq militants
  • BBC - Iran 'backs US military contacts' to fight Islamic State
  • New York Times - U.S. and Allies Form Coalition With Intent to Destroy ISIS
  • Politico - U.S. leaders press NATO on ISIL
  • National Journal - Opinion: Can We Shed Bush Baggage to Confront ISIS?
  • Boston Globe - US wants more from Saudis in fight against extremists
• Counter-Terrorism
  Saudi court sentences American, 23 others to prison for terrorism

  A court in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday sentenced an American and 23 other people to prison on charges they created a terrorist cell and planned attacks on foreigners and oil pipelines. The official Saudi Press Agency reported that their sentences range from two to 27 years in prison for planning attacks against Saudi Arabia and its smaller neighbor of Bahrain.

• Extremist Ideologies
  The Islamic State vs. al Qaeda

  The Islamic State has thrown down the gauntlet to al Qaeda and seeks to supplant its former ally as the symbol and leader of a global movement acting out a twisted definition of jihad. Its sweeping military campaign has captured a huge swath of Iraq, even as it fights both Bashar al-Assad's regime and rival jihadi groups in Syria, while its proclamation in June of an Islamic caliphate has sparked a furious debate about its legitimacy among global terrorists

  • Bloomberg - Al-Qaeda Chief Announces Start of Jihadi Operations in India
• Afghanistan in Photos
  Afghanistan: The Long Withdrawal

  Five years ago, the war in Afghanistan began to escalate drastically. Troop surges soon pushed the number of NATO troops up to more than 140,000, and the levels of violence grew to match the surge. At the time, I felt the conflict was being under-reported relative to other international stories, especially considering the level of commitment involved, so I began a monthly series dedicated to covering the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Now, more than 60 monthly photo essays later, I'm ending the series as a regular feature. I will continue to post photos from Afghanistan through the withdrawal, as well as after the handover—but as an occasional entry, not monthly.

  • AP - NATO Coalition in Afghanistan Shrinking
• Haia
  Haia chief orders probe into attack on Saudi-British couple

  Haia spokesman Turki Al-Shaleel said Haia President Abdullatif Al-Asheikh has ordered an investigation into the incident, which took place on Friday night.

• Barack Obama
  Opinion: Actually, Obama Does Have a Strategy in the Middle East

  When it comes to the Middle East, in other words, Obama is neither a dove nor a hawk. He’s a fierce minimalist. George W. Bush defined the War on Terror so broadly that in anti-terrorism’s name he spent vast quantities of blood and treasure fighting people who had no capacity or desire to attack the United States. Hillary Clinton and John McCain may not use the “War on Terror” framework anymore, but they’re still more willing to sell arms, dispatch troops, and drop bombs to achieve goals that aren’t directly connected to preventing another 9/11. By contrast, Obama’s strategy—whether you like it or not—is more clearly defined. Hundreds of thousands can die in Syria; the Taliban can menace and destabilize Afghanistan; Iran can move closer to getting a bomb. No matter. With rare exceptions, Obama only unsheathes his sword against people he thinks might kill American civilians.

  • CNN - Why a strategy to fight ISIS in Syria will take time
• Commuting
  Around the World in Commuting – Olaya Road, Riyadh

  On Thursday, Instagram released Hyperlapse, a new app for creating time-lapse videos.  For anybody who has driven in Riyadh, the time-lapse of driving on Olaya Road will bring back memories.

• Will Friends of Yemen follow through? | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

  As the “Friends of Yemen” meet in London on April 29 to coordinate international support for Yemen’s transition, the question many Yemenis have is “Will they actually follow through?”

• Israeli Politics
  Criticism of Netanyahu’s planned U.S. speech mounts in Israel

  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing growing criticism in Israel for a planned speech to the U.S. Congress about Iran, accused by his political rivals of damaging ties with Washington to promote his election campaign.

  • Reuters - Two rockets from Syria strike Israeli-occupied Golan: Israeli military
• Saudi Leadership Changes
  For the Record | New Saudi Leadership Named

  This “For the Record” post provides a Saudi Press Agency statement laying out  royal decrees issued by King Salman appointing and relieving various senior leaders.

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