Julien Barnes-Dacey

Europe desperately seeking answers on Iraq

While the crisis in Iraq deepens, Europe has been slow to react – reluctant to be drawn into another quagmire in the region. 

To fix Iraq, don’t lose sight of Syria

A fundamental ingredient is still missing in shaping a coherent – though challenging – strategy for targeting IS in Iraq

Fighting the Islamic State in Iraq

With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki resisting calls to step down, US military strikes risk having little effect in combatting the Islamic State (IS)

Syria and Iraq: One conflict or two?

Recent weeks have highlighted more clearly than ever the growing symbiosis between the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. 

Making the most of Geneva II

The Geneva II conference on Syria will finally convene in Switzerland next week. Prospects for an immediate or dramatic breakthrough are decidedly bleak, yet that should not be the bar against which the merits of convening Geneva II should be measured