Obama signs order expanding U.S. Afghanistan role - NY Times
The decision ensures a direct role for U.S. troops in fighting in Afghanistan for at least another year
Senior Islamic State figure killed in Mosul -sources
Residents and a local medical source say the radical militant group's leader in Mosul has been killed
Aid workers in conflict zones no longer immune, now targeted
474 aid workers were killed, kidnapped or seriously wounded in 2013, compared to 143 in 2003
Syrian government air strikes intensifying, civilians killed: monitoring group
The Syrian army has launched new air strikes at the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa, where a monitoring group says, civilians are increasingly becoming casualties
Syrian air force strikes increasing, civilians killed - monitoring group
Syrian air force launched 1,592 strikes over past month, killing at least 396 civilians, UK-based group says
Families in shock as Islamic State lures sons into "barbaric madness"
Hundreds of young men from Western countries are believed to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join Islamic State fighters
Kurds seize Islamic State arms, buildings in besieged town - monitor
Clashes kill around 13 Islamic State militants, including two senior fighters who had been helping to lead assault on Kobani
Turkey fears influx of 2-3 million more Syrian refugees
Turkey already hosts more than 1.5 million refugees, urges United States and its allies to create safe haven for displaced civilians on Syrian side of border
Militant attack deaths soar to all-time high - report
Four Islamist groups operating in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria responsible for two thirds of 2013 attacks