Lori Hinnant, The Associated Press

Ukraine

Ukrainians building up resistance in case Russia attacks

If Russia invades, some of Kharkiv’s 1 million plus people say they stand ready to abandon their civilian lives and wage a guerrilla campaign against one of the world’s greatest military powers.

As US troop readiness increases, war on Ukraine’s front lines drags on

Up to 8,500 U.S. troops are on heightened readiness in case Russia further attacks Ukraine.

Few ready to pay to rebuild Iraq after Islamic State group defeat

Three years of war devastated much of northern and western Iraq. Baghdad estimates $100 billion is needed nationwide to rebuild. Local leaders in Mosul, the biggest city held by ISIS, say that amount is needed to rehabilitate their city alone.

Islamic State backers find ephemeral platform in Instagram

Researchers say Islamic State supporters have found an ephemeral platform to share propaganda: Using Instagram’s “stories” feature, which causes posts to disappear in 24 hours.

Ex-Gitmo inmate among 6 detained from French jihadi network

A former Guantanamo Bay inmate is among six people from an alleged jihadi recruiting network linked to the Islamic State group who were detained on Tuesday, a French judicial source said.

Lawmakers probe US contractor in Iraq sex trafficking case

A congressional investigative panel is demanding documents and testimony from an embattled U.S. defense contractor accused of failing to promptly disclose human trafficking on a base in Iraq.

Intel sharing at heart of US, Europe talks on laptop ban

The intelligence behind plans to broaden a U.S. ban on in-flight laptops and tablets to include planes from Europe took center stage on Wednesday as American and European officials met to discuss the looming decision.

US company turned blind eye to wild behavior on Iraq base

More than 150 documents obtained by AP, as well as interviews with more than a half-dozen former or current Sallyport employees, show how a contractor ran amok after being hired for lucrative and essential combat support operations.

ISIS holds terrified civilians as human shields in Syrian city

Residents of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa live in terror, trapped as a massive human shield in the Islamic State's de facto capital ahead of the final battle with U.S.-backed opposition forces for the militant group's last major urban stronghold.

ISIS using drones, other innovating tactics with deadly effect

First the tiny drones buzz overhead to observe Iraqi soldiers. Then, the Islamic State group's flying machines return to drop a small explosive device to sow panic among security forces — or deadlier still, to help guide a suicide car bomber to a target.