Peter Cook

US and Turkey intensify efforts against ISIL

US and Turkey intensify efforts against ISIL

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işik in London on the sidelines of a meeting of defense ministers whose countries are participating in the campaign to defeat the ISIL, …

 Pentagon: Iraqi forces 'ahead of schedule' in Mosul

Pentagon: Iraqi forces 'ahead of schedule' in Mosul

Iraqi forces are "ahead of schedule", the Pentagon says, as they begin the second day of the battle to retake Mosul from ISIL fighters. "Early indications are that Iraqi forces have met their objectives so far, and that …

 ISIL confirms death of propaganda chief - media

ISIL confirms death of propaganda chief - media

ISIL confirmed the death of its propaganda chief, whom the Pentagon said was killed in a US-led air strike in Syria's Raqqa province last month. An statement posted online by the militant group paid tribute to Wa'il Adil Hasan …

 US surprised by Russia's decision to send S-300 to Syria

US surprised by Russia's decision to send S-300 to Syria

On Tuesday, Russia sent an air-defense missile system S-300 to Syria. The deployment immediately raised questions from the Pentagon. The US military will carefully track installation of S-300 air defense systems by Russia in Syria, the …

Taliban leader dies

Taliban leader dies

The Afghan Taliban have confirmed the death of leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor after the US military announced he was the target of a drone strike in Pakistan. Mullah Abdul Rauf, a senior commander of the militant …

Pentagon chief sees no need for talks with Shoigu

Pentagon chief sees no need for talks with Shoigu

Pentagon chief Ashton Carter has nothing against carrying out talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, but at the same time, he thinks they are unnecessary, Pentagon's spokesman Peter …

Ankara in crosshairs

Ankara in crosshairs

Andrei Baklanov: “We expect that Turkey will reconsider its attitude to ISIS”