As the U.S. begins to arm and train Syrian rebels, here's a look at the very mixed record of U.S. support for rebel movements from Angola to Afghanistan.
Peshmerga forces say they are still engaged in fierce battles with Islamic State militants. The fighting has triggered a mass exodus of Kurdish refugees into Turkey.
While a U.N. agency reported about 70,000 refugees this weekend, a Turkish official says 100,000 Syrians have entered Turkey in the past week. Fighters from ISIS are closing in on the border.
The hostages included diplomats, children and others seized along with Turkey's consulate in Mosul in June. As it celebrates their return, Turkey also receives thousands of Kurds fleeing ISIS.
President Francois Hollande says the Rafale fighters "entirely destroyed" a logistics depot. His office said more air operations against Islamic State militants would be conducted in coming days.
Even though it was backed by both party leaders, the vote split politicians within their own ranks. The final tally on the narrow military measure was 273 to 156.
The "moderate" opposition has been losing ground on the battlefield and pleading for weapons from the U.S. for the past couple of years. They are hoping that their fortunes have finally changed.
The president said U.S. airstrikes, combined with military expertise, would be more effective in defeating the group that calls itself the Islamic State.
House Republicans were hoping for a smooth two weeks before hitting the campaign trial, but a request to arm Syrian rebels has muddled that, as well as the one bill that must pass before they leave.