Today's Headlines and Commentary

Yesterday, Egypt launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Libya. These bombings came in response to recently released Islamic State videos, depicting the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, who had been captured in Libya. According to the Associated Press, these developments affirmatively involve Egypt in its neighbor’s “turmoil.” Indeed, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi now seeks American and European support for an international coalition to combat the Islamic State in Libya. As international focus has been on Iraq and Syria and as rival militias have battled for control in Libya, the Islamic State in Libya has been “spreading its sway for months.” The Wall Street Journal explains how the militant group established its foothold in the North African country. Meanwhile, the Washington Post’s David Ignatius explains how Jordan has become the leader in the Arab world’s fight against the Islamic State. The Atlantic offers a long-form piece, which examines the background, motivations, and intentions of the Islamic State. Graeme Wood writes:

The Islamic State, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), follows a distinctive variety of Islam whose beliefs about the path to the Day of Judgment matter to its strategy, and can help the West know its enemy and predict its behavior. Its rise to power is less like the triumph of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (a group whose leaders the Islamic State considers apostates) than like the realization of a dystopian alternate reality in which David Koresh or Jim Jones survived to wield absolute power over not just a few hundred people, but some 8 million.

Meanwhile, by revamping the State Department’s Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, the U.S. hopes to better counter the Islamic State’s propaganda message. According to the New York Times, by coordinating with and promoting content from allies, NGOs, and prominent Islamic leaders, the U.S. seeks to undermine the militant group’s ability to attract new fighters and money. Defense One profiles Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which will begin hearings on President Obama’s draft Islamic State AUMF this week. Just two days after a ceasefire negotiated in Minsk took effect, peace in eastern Ukraine appears to be deteriorating. Fighting along a “hotly contested” road leading into the town of Debaltseve has not let up. The Times notes that this road is “the only artery of support for Ukrainian troops” trapped in the town, and its status is important to the success of the ceasefire. If Russian-backed separatists control the road, then they have some 8,000 Ukrainian troops surrounded, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko would have to “either... negotiate for the[ir] release... or resume fighting to extricate them.” Four Taliban suicide bombers attacked an Afghan provincial police headquarters today, killing twenty-two officers and wounding some seven others. Meanwhile, an unrelated Taliban suicide bombing of a Pakistani provincial police headquarters claimed six more lives. Reuters reports on both incidents. For your long read today: Transparency International shares its report regarding the effect of corruption on the international mission in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, relations between the Obama administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continue to sour. The Post informs us that U.S. officials are now limiting the amount of sensitive information shared with Israel on the Iran nuclear talks. This decision comes in response to reports that Netanyahu has been leaking details of the U.S. negotiating position to Israeli journalists. The Egyptian state news agency announced today that the country’s former Islamist President Mohammed Morsi will face trial before a military court in relation to “the deaths of 31 civilians and the wounding of 34 soldiers.” Reuters has details. The Shia Houthi rebels, who recently overtook the Yemeni government, are now looking to seize control of Marib province to the east of the country’s capital Sana’a. Marib, an important oil-producing region, is currently held by Sunni tribes. The Post reports that conflict between the groups could result in a full-scale civil war. At an Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) meeting dedicated to coming up with solutions for fighting Boko Haram, Cameroonian officials announced that their military has killed 86 of the Islamist insurgents and is currently detaining over a thousand individuals with suspected ties to the militant group. Agence France-Presse reports the story. A Russian cybersecurity firm has claimed that the U.S. has developed technological implant tools, which allow it to permanently surveil and sabotage targeted cyber-networks, such as those of Iran, Russia, and others. The Times has more. According to the Post, recently proposed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules would grant “thousands of businesses” license to operate drones for commercial purposes. The rules, which will not take effect for at least two years, are currently available for public comment and review. The National Interest shares a list of the five countries that have most successfully taken advantage of the “Golden Age of Drones.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, the United States takes top billing. It is followed (in order) by Israel, China, Iran, and Russia. In celebration of Saturday Night Live’s 40th anniversary, Military.com has compiled the show’s “10 best military-themed sketches.”

ICYMI: Yesterday, on Lawfare

Matt Danzer provided a roundup of the notable events from Thursday’s military commission hearing in the case against 9/11 terrorist Mustafa Al-Hawasawi. Ben compiled the various criticism that has been leveled against President Obama’s draft AUMF and referred us back to the draft AUMF, which he, Bobby, Jack, and Matt had put forth in November. Susan Landau praised President Obama’s recent remarks on the encryption issue. Jack responded to some of the errors and misconceptions inherent in the criticism against President Obama’s draft AUMF. Email the Roundup Team noteworthy law and security-related articles to include, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional commentary on these issues. Sign up to receive Lawfare in your inbox. Visit our Events Calendar to learn about upcoming national security events, and check out relevant job openings on our Job Board.