FP’s Situation Report: U.S. troops come under fire in Iraq; 2014 death toll in Syria is catastrophic; North Korea backs down under U.S. and U.N. pressure; and much more.

Friday, January 2 , 2015 - 14:38 (EET) Section: Foreign Policy (USA)

By David Francis with Sabine Muscat
The war creeps ever closer to American military advisers in Iraq. President Barack Obama has repeatedly pledged no U.S. soldiers would be involved in combat against the Islamic State. In Iraq, they are currently confined to bases, yet 300 Americans are under heavy artillery and rocket fire in western Anbar province and more troops are on the way. The Pentagon is facing a stark reality: No matter the precautions, soldiers are at risk of being dragged into the fight.
The Washington Post’s Missy Ryan and Erin Cunningham: “In a sign of the risks, military officials said …read more

Source: Foreign Policy