Three years after ISIS assault on Iraq’s Christians

IRAQ: This week marks the three-year anniversary of ISIS conquering Nineveh Plains in Iraq, forcing more than 150,000 Christians from their homes and emptying villages occupied by Christians for nearly 2,000 years. Here’s my recap of that final fall, and a look at what’s ahead for Iraqi Christians who hope to return to their villages after liberation this year from ISIS.

AFGHANISTAN: Iran is conducting an intensifying covert intervention as U.S. influence wanes, supporting Taliban attacks and seeking to further destabilize Afghanistan, which shares a 500-mile border with Iran. Meanwhile, U.S. generals aren’t getting a buy-in from President Donald Trump to send more troops to Afghanistan, missing a mid-July deadline.

SAUDI ARABIA: The executions of 14 Shiites convicted on terrorism charges for staging Arab Spring protests are set to take place any day now.

YEMEN: Humanitarian disaster and civil war hasn’t stopped Yemen from continuing as an incubator for global terrorism—and, not surprisingly, increasing targeted killings of Christians.

VENEZUELA: Authorities say they have put down an uprising at a military base, but it appears a rebellion within the military may be in the making, as protests against the dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro continue.

KENYA: Hundreds of people are leaving Nairobi ahead of expected election violence, reports journalist Moses Wasumu, as voters go to the polls tomorrow. Their top choices for president are familiar: the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta or veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.

SWITZERLAND: Europeans have begun calling their heat wave Lucifer.

RUSSIA: Thirty years ago today, American swimmer Lynne Cox swam the Bering Strait in a daring feat to help end the Cold War.

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