Caliphate

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death ushers in new phase for Islamic State; next leader could consolidate hold on Syria, Iraq or focus on global outreach

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's demise only a few months after Islamic State lost its territorial hold ushers in a new phase for the group amid uncertainty over the new leadership as thousands of its supporters and members languish in prisons in northeastern Syria

In Syria's Baghouz, last village under Islamic State control, militants remain organised and brutal to the bitter end

Islamic State militants are now fighting their final battle, holed up in tunnels and caves inside Baghouz, the last village they control, in Syria

Prominent French jihadi brothers killed in US-backed air strikes over Islamic State-held area in Syria

The US-led coalition announced Fabien's death several days after the strike. The two brothers joined IS together and Fabien went on to become the group's voice in France. Fabien's voice was on an IS recording claiming responsibility for the worst terrorist violence in France's modern history a series of bombings and shootings in Paris in November 2015 that killed 130 people.

UK to strip Islamic State teen bride Shamima Begum of citizenship; family now considering 'legal avenues' to allow her return

The case points to a dilemma facing many European countries, divided over whether to allow jihadists and IS sympathisers home to face prosecution or barring them over security concerns as the so-called "caliphate" crumbles.

Podcast roundup: From Invisibilia to The Adventures of Cheap Beer, what to listen to this week

A podcast for every mood and interest, from The Adventures of Cheap Beer set in Mumbai to Awards Chatter, thoughtful conversations with celebrities

Islamic State recaptures parts of Syria's Albu Kamal town in major attack, says human rights body

Islamic State used at least 10 suicide bombers in its offensive on Albu Kamal, which lies in he Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria and swiftly took several neighbourhoods, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

MJ Akbar says only nationalism, nation-state can combat 'existential challenge' of terrorism

Speaking at the India Ideas Conclave, MJ Akbar contended that faith-based terrorism challenges the concept of a nation-state and presents an existential challenge

Islamic State is in retreat but celebrating its demise is premature as idea of Caliphate lives on

After nearly a full year of predictions that the Islamic State was finished, it seems that the extremist group is indeed in full retreat.

Islamic State's emblematic capital Raqqa falls to US-backed forces; militant group on verge of annihilation

United States-backed forces took full control of Raqqa from the Islamic State group on Tuesday, defeating the last jihadist holdouts.

Islamic State releases purported audio message from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asking militants to 'have patience'

The leader of the Islamic State group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi urged followers to burn their enemies everywhere and target "media centers of the infidels"