Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

He confounded American commanders in Iraq and all but saved the regime of Bashar al-Assad. But until recently, few people outside of military circles knew the name of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. He’s a public and popular figure in his home country now — and just as powerful as ever.

Two gunmen killed more than 20 people in Tunisia on Wednesday, shocking the country that many people have called the Arab Spring’s only meaningful success story. And while most of the dead were tourists, a Tunisian journalist says locals are feeling the deaths strongly.

“Today, ISIS is running probably the most effective propaganda machine out there,” says one analyst. But while ISIS may have the tools of activism down pat, it’s far different from real activist movement in important ways.

The people of Amman have voted, and the city’s sanitation workers will now don turquoise-colored jumpsuits rather than their old bright orange uniforms, which closely resemble the outfits ISIS hostages are forced to wear.

A major offensive against ISIS forces is under way in Iraq, and the Iraqi army is getting plenty of support from Iran and its Iraqi Shiite allies. One country that isn’t getting involved, however, is the United States.