The US gears up for another offensive on the Islamic State, the liberation of al Raqqa. Obstacles are many, least of which is Turkey’s vehement opposition to the use of Kurdish fighters, a critical force in the coalition. Will the US risk alienating its NATO ally to ensure success? For the past few weeks, the US has been pushing for a plan to utilize Kurdish Peshmerga forces in their fight against the Islamic State. This has elicited the expected response from Ankara – one of ardent obstruction. But the battle for al Raqqa is imminent, despite the Turkish government’s opinions on the … Continue reading ISIS Offensive – Next Stop: al Raqqa