On the eve of one of the great Christian festivals, even if we now celebrate materialism with the zeal we once reserved for Christmas religious observance, it may be appropriate to consider the consequences of being Christian in the many parts of the world where religious freedom is an unknown concept and where being a Christian may endanger your life.

As long as Islamic militants fight the US-led alliance on Washington’s terms, they will lose but they are already reverting back to guerilla warfare which will prolong the conflict, writes David Axe.

As the US begins to move against Islamic State forces, intelligence gathering on the ground, from the air, and through the airwaves is of paramount importance, write David Axe and Robert Beckhusen.

A new round of airstrikes by US fighter jets and unmanned drones has targeted Islamic militants in Iraq.