The Caliphate: Sunni militants from Iraq have taken a Syrian border post in a sudden move to the west in their fight to carve out a separate state in the Middle East. They also captured a fourth town in Anbar …

Ukraine: Russia is demanding an apology from Ukraine claiming artillery fire hit a Russian border post and destroyed a building. It happened just as Ukraine declared a one-day ceasefire. A Kremlin statement said about the ceasefire, “this is not an …

Iraq: President Obama is sending 300 military advisors to stiffen the spine of the Iraqi army that’s collapsing before advancing Sunni Islamist rebels. Although the presence of “advisors” is often the first step to entering combat, Obama said American soldiers …

Iraq: The country’s biggest oil refinery appears to have fallen into the hands of Sunni Islamic militants after the army and helicopter gunships failed to hold them back. Black militant banners are reported to be hanging high within the refinery. …

Taken: American Special Forces nabbed a suspected leader in the 2012 Benghazi, Libya consulate attack who had been living openly in, of all places, Benghazi. Ahmed Abu Khattala is being returned to the US to face charges and trial for …

Spin: Twin tornadoes ripped through northeast Nebraska yesterday, killing a five-year-old child and injuring possibly dozens of others. At least half the town of Pilgar was damaged or destroyed. Homes and grain elevators were flattened and livestock killed. Officials said …

Iraq: The State Department ordered the evacuation of a large number of American personnel from the US embassy in Baghdad in the face of an Islamic militant force trying to fight its way to the city. How many people would …

Iraq: Government forces appear to have at least temporarily blunted the march of Sunni Islamic militants headed toward Baghdad. Counter attacks by troops for the Shiite led government have actually reclaimed a little territory, the army claims. An Iraqi military …

Iraq: With Sunni militants advancing toward Baghdad, Iraq’s most influential Shiite cleric issued a call to arms for the defense of the nation’s capital. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have fled their homes to escape the fighting. President Obama says …

Iraq: President Obama is considering direct military action against Islamic militants threatening the control of the Iraqi government. Fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have moved as close as 30 miles from Baghdad. President Obama said, …