MENA Report - May 16 , 2015 ...... Primary focus on Iraq / Syria Regional war ...... Yemen ceasefire generally holding despite reported clashes..... Afghanistan in focus as Taliban still hanging around despite all of the drone strikes......Iran items of note ..

Links....

ISIS Takes Ramadi Center; Iraqi Troops Fleeing

Obama Vows 'Iron-Clad' Protection of Gulf Nations Hundreds Killed in Ramadi; US to Rush Weapons to Iraq

ISIS Gains Mount, US Still Insists They're on the 'Defensive'

Iraqi Ba'athists Release Audio of Supposedly Slain Saddam Aide

Missile Shield for Gulf to Take Years, and Heavy US Commitment

Despite Yemen Ceasefire, Clashes Reported in Two Cities

Most of Ramadi Captured; 62 Killed Across Iraq

Hezbollah, Syrian Army Seize Control of New Qalamoun Hill

Afghan Taliban Commander, Three Others Killed in Drone Strikes

US Government Watchdog: Afghan Military 'Will Need Our Help for the Foreseeable Future'

Pakistan Officials Question Group's Claim of ISIS Funding

Pakistani Airstrikes Kill 15 Militants Near Afghan Border

Tweets........

The Daily Star @DailyStarLeb · 32m32 minutes ago

US raid in Syria killed 32 ISIS members, including 4 leaders: activists http://bit.ly/1HlpbSy 

The Daily Star @DailyStarLeb · 17h17 hours ago

BREAKING: Hezbollah keen on keeping Lebanese Army out of Qalamoun battle: Nasrallah http://bit.ly/1Kd1Sy2 

fred walton ‏@fredwalton216  8s

9 seconds ago

US special forces kill senior ISIS commander in Syria raid - DoD — RT USA http://rt.com/usa/259253-us-syria-raid-isis/#.VVdOBAP8D60.twitter … Note this raid occurred in Syria -Assad ok?

The Daily Star @DailyStarLeb · 14m14 minutes ago

Taliban justify killing foreigners after Kabul guesthouse siege http://bit.ly/1IHzD8H 

The Daily Star @DailyStarLeb · 20m20 minutes ago

Syrian army kills ISIS's 'oil minister', about 40 others: state TV http://bit.ly/1IDQ7QB 

The Daily Star @DailyStarLeb · 2h2 hours ago

Iran's supreme leader: US after own interests in Gulf waters http://bit.ly/1A5TyNo 

The Daily Star @DailyStarLeb · 3h3 hours ago

ISIS battles Syrian army near ancient citadel: activists http://bit.ly/1PMoHH9 

The Daily Star @DailyStarLeb · 6h6 hours ago

Army arrests 'ISIS commander' in east Lebanon: state media http://bit.ly/1EaRezs 

Al-Monitor @AlMonitor · 41m41 minutes ago

The House passed a defense bill with contradictory guidance for assistance to Syrian rebels http://almon.co/2fnr  @CongressPulse

Al-Monitor @AlMonitor · 6h6 hours ago

#GCC official says #CampDavidSummit “exceeded the expectations of most of us" http://almon.co/2fns  @barbaraslavin1