The pro-government paramilitary troops have repulsed an Islamic State attack against a security checkpoint in Diyala, a security source said on Thursday. “Troops of al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces] managed to repel an attack launched by IS to target a checkpoint in al-Bou Eissa village, north of Udhaim, in Diyala,” …

Britain’s Foreign Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday urged the United State to “keep the pressure on Russia” over its involvement in Syria and Ukraine ahead of possible US-Russia talks. Johnson, on an unexpected visit to Washington this week, praised Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s efforts in drawing Russia for talks …

Vice President Mike Pence met with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Thursday “to reaffirm the enduring strategic partnership between the United States and Turkey,” the Office of the Vice President announced. The two “expressed hope that their meeting would help to usher in a new chapter in US-Turkey relations, …