Karen Leigh is the managing editor of News Deeply. She has lived and reported in India, West Africa and the Middle East for publications including TIME and The New York Times. You can find her on Twitter as @leighstream https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/contributor/karen-leigh/rss en Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 18 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/18/as-u-s-strikes-loom-syrian-civilians-fear-becoming-collateral-damage https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/18/as-u-s-strikes-loom-syrian-civilians-fear-becoming-collateral-damage Many in Raqqa are moving away from known ISIS targets in the city center. How serious a threat do U.S. airstrikes pose to local residents? ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/17/with-spotlight-on-isis-battles-intensify-against-jabhat-al-nusra https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/17/with-spotlight-on-isis-battles-intensify-against-jabhat-al-nusra Assessing the fight on the southern front, where rebels are now reported to be in control of more than three-quarters of Quneitra province – with their sights set on Damascus. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/15/what-a-u-s-strike-on-syria-would-mean-for-assad https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/15/what-a-u-s-strike-on-syria-would-mean-for-assad The Obama administration had been concerned that strikes against ISIS would be misinterpreted as signifying a collaboration with the Syrian government. ISIS War Economy Thu, 11 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/11/examining-the-isis-oil-business https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/11/examining-the-isis-oil-business The value of the ISIS oil trade has been widely estimated at between $1 and $3 million per day, though experts have warned that the figure could be a high estimate. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/04/as-battle-near-ayn-al-arab-intensifies-isis-reportedly-drops-cluster-munitions https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/04/as-battle-near-ayn-al-arab-intensifies-isis-reportedly-drops-cluster-munitions What dangers are posed by ISIS’s possession of cluster bombs? Human Rights ISIS Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/04/as-the-u-s-considers-striking-isis-in-syria-reflections-and-realities-from-iraq https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/04/as-the-u-s-considers-striking-isis-in-syria-reflections-and-realities-from-iraq New America senior fellow Douglas Ollivant on how lessons from Iraq could shape the battle against the militant group in Syria. ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 03 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/03/how-will-turkeys-new-prime-minister-handle-the-isis-threat https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/03/how-will-turkeys-new-prime-minister-handle-the-isis-threat As the Sunni militants inch closer to the Turkish border, a new set of challenges faces Ahmet Davutoglu. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Mon, 01 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/01/is-the-kidnapping-of-u-n-peacekeepers-a-game-changer-for-israel https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/01/is-the-kidnapping-of-u-n-peacekeepers-a-game-changer-for-israel With Jabhat al-Nusra increasingly emboldened in and around the Golan Heights, will there be a different reaction than usual? Human Rights ISIS Mon, 01 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/01/the-obstacles-to-a-u-s-strike-on-isis-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/09/01/the-obstacles-to-a-u-s-strike-on-isis-in-syria What are the major obstacles facing Obama as he considers a military campaign? Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/29/how-entrenched-is-isis-in-syria-and-can-it-be-rooted-out https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/29/how-entrenched-is-isis-in-syria-and-can-it-be-rooted-out The longer ISIS keeps control of Syrian territory from its de facto capital in Raqqa, they more ingrained they could become. Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/29/for-european-jihadi-fighters-a-raise-in-profile-but-no-promotion https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/29/for-european-jihadi-fighters-a-raise-in-profile-but-no-promotion We look at the emerging hierarchy and roles played by Western fighters in Syria and Iraq – and increasing tensions with Syrian fighters. ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Thu, 28 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/28/why-u-s-air-strikes-in-syria-would-damage-but-not-destroy-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/28/why-u-s-air-strikes-in-syria-would-damage-but-not-destroy-isis While military action could put the group on its back foot, it is ideology-driven and would continue to attract fighters – and carry out its brand of brutality. Civil Society Thu, 28 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/28/what-can-be-done-to-stitch-syrias-communities-back-together https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/28/what-can-be-done-to-stitch-syrias-communities-back-together Salman Shaikh discusses what can be done to pull Syria back together again. ISIS Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/27/tabqa-victory-consolidates-isis-control-around-raqqa-but-urban-showdown-still-to-come https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/27/tabqa-victory-consolidates-isis-control-around-raqqa-but-urban-showdown-still-to-come The militant group has pushed Assad’s army out of its last military stronghold in the province. How much did it gain? Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Tue, 26 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/26/obamas-delicate-balance-taking-on-isis-while-keeping-assad-at-bay https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/26/obamas-delicate-balance-taking-on-isis-while-keeping-assad-at-bay Analysts say that Aleppo would be the most effective place for the U.S. to strike ISIS. But it could prove politically impossible. ISIS Fri, 22 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/22/isis-fights-for-control-of-regimes-last-stronghold-in-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/22/isis-fights-for-control-of-regimes-last-stronghold-in-raqqa Taqba Air Base is a strategic point for both sides. How long can Assad forces hold it? Government & Pro-Government Forces Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/21/one-year-after-ghouta-could-isis-emerge-as-a-new-chemical-threat https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/21/one-year-after-ghouta-could-isis-emerge-as-a-new-chemical-threat The Sunni militant group has taken radioactive isotopes from Mosul University, and controls a small amount of Saddam Hussein’s leftover chemical material in al-Muthanna. Civil Society ISIS Tue, 19 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/19/fighting-the-spillover-of-syrias-war-lebanons-army-asks-for-aid-against-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/19/fighting-the-spillover-of-syrias-war-lebanons-army-asks-for-aid-against-isis As the Syrian conflict spills over the Lebanese border, the LAF is maintaining a defensive strategy, leaving the aggressive pursuit of ISIS and various rebel groups to Hezbollah. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Mon, 18 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/18/horrific-accounts-of-abuse-in-syrias-prisons-prompt-calls-for-inspectors-international-pressure https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/18/horrific-accounts-of-abuse-in-syrias-prisons-prompt-calls-for-inspectors-international-pressure As four new sources corroborate the defector known as Caesar’s allegations of mass deaths in a regime detention center, Human Rights Watch says the only solution is to put pressure on the regime to allow in inspectors. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces ISIS Mon, 18 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 Karen Leigh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/18/who-has-the-advantage-as-assad-moves-to-take-on-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2014/08/18/who-has-the-advantage-as-assad-moves-to-take-on-isis As a battle for supremacy looms, ISIS has the momentum, but analysts say that if forced to choose, Western and Arab leaders will back Assad.