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| Islamic State: Where key countries stand | Islamic State: Where key countries stand |
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| The lightning rise of Islamic State (IS), the jihadist militant group that has seized large parts of Syria and Iraq, has sent shockwaves around the region and beyond, leaving allies and rivals deciding how to go about dealing with the threat. | The lightning rise of Islamic State (IS), the jihadist militant group that has seized large parts of Syria and Iraq, has sent shockwaves around the region and beyond, leaving allies and rivals deciding how to go about dealing with the threat. |
| US President Barack Obama wants a global coalition to "degrade and ultimately destroy" IS, but longstanding enmities and an already complex situation in the Middle East mean it will be far from straightforward. Here is a look at where countries stand: | |
| Iran | Iran |
| Regional Shia power Iran has seen IS - which regards Shia as heretics who should be killed - advance to within 25 miles (40km) of its border. | Regional Shia power Iran has seen IS - which regards Shia as heretics who should be killed - advance to within 25 miles (40km) of its border. |
| Although Iran stands on the opposite side of much of the international community over Syria, it has called for co-operation against IS. It has reached out to its rival Saudi Arabia - the leading Sunni power - and turned a blind eye to US actions in Iraq, which it has historically opposed. | Although Iran stands on the opposite side of much of the international community over Syria, it has called for co-operation against IS. It has reached out to its rival Saudi Arabia - the leading Sunni power - and turned a blind eye to US actions in Iraq, which it has historically opposed. |
| In Iraq, the Iranians themselves have played a key role in countering IS. Revolutionary Guards have advised Iraqi security forces, Iranian pilots have carried out air strikes, and Iranian-backed Shia militia have been mobilised. | In Iraq, the Iranians themselves have played a key role in countering IS. Revolutionary Guards have advised Iraqi security forces, Iranian pilots have carried out air strikes, and Iranian-backed Shia militia have been mobilised. |
| Iran says it has also been sending weapons and advisers to Iraqi Kurdistan. In addition, Tehran joined Washington in withdrawing support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in August. | Iran says it has also been sending weapons and advisers to Iraqi Kurdistan. In addition, Tehran joined Washington in withdrawing support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in August. |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry opposed Iran's attendance at an international conference in Paris in September on helping the new Iraqi government fight IS, but stressed that he was still prepared to discuss Iraq and Syria with the Iranians. Iranian officials meanwhile insisted that they had rejected multiple invitations by the US to join the coalition. | |
| Iraq | Iraq |
| The former Shia-dominated government of Nouri Maliki marginalised Iraq's Sunni community, creating conditions which helped the extremist Sunni IS come to prominence. | |
| When IS overran the northern city of Mosul in June before moving southwards, Mr Maliki requested US air strikes. However, US President Barack Obama said further military assistance was dependant on an inclusive government being formed. | When IS overran the northern city of Mosul in June before moving southwards, Mr Maliki requested US air strikes. However, US President Barack Obama said further military assistance was dependant on an inclusive government being formed. |
| He nevertheless launched air strikes in August when thousands of members of the Yazidi religious minority became trapped on Mount Sinjar. | He nevertheless launched air strikes in August when thousands of members of the Yazidi religious minority became trapped on Mount Sinjar. |
| In September, Mr Maliki stepped aside and a new Iraqi government was named. The next phase of US assistance will reportedly involve an intensified effort to train, advise and equip the Iraqi military, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and Sunni tribesmen willing to turn against IS. | In September, Mr Maliki stepped aside and a new Iraqi government was named. The next phase of US assistance will reportedly involve an intensified effort to train, advise and equip the Iraqi military, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and Sunni tribesmen willing to turn against IS. |
| It is not clear how new Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will deal with the Shia militiamen who have stopped IS reaching Baghdad. Some have been accused of operating outside of the state's control and carrying out reprisal attacks against Sunnis. | It is not clear how new Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will deal with the Shia militiamen who have stopped IS reaching Baghdad. Some have been accused of operating outside of the state's control and carrying out reprisal attacks against Sunnis. |
| At the end of August, Mr Abadi vowed to rebuild the Iraqi army and to create a new "national guard organisation" modelled on the Sunni Sahwa (Awakening) councils that battled al-Qaeda alongside US troops. | |
| Syria | Syria |
| Since the start of the uprising against his rule in March 2011, President Bashar al-Assad has repeatedly warned of the threat of Islamist extremists to Syria and the wider region. | Since the start of the uprising against his rule in March 2011, President Bashar al-Assad has repeatedly warned of the threat of Islamist extremists to Syria and the wider region. |
| Western powers initially dismissed Mr Assad's portrayal of his opponents as "terrorists", but became increasingly concerned by the rise of IS and al-Qaeda's affiliate, al-Nusra Front, in Syria. | Western powers initially dismissed Mr Assad's portrayal of his opponents as "terrorists", but became increasingly concerned by the rise of IS and al-Qaeda's affiliate, al-Nusra Front, in Syria. |
| Top US general Martin Dempsey has warned that IS cannot be beaten without attacking its strongholds in Syria. That has prompted questions about whether to co-operate with the Syrian government, which has offered to assist the international community in the fight against IS. | Top US general Martin Dempsey has warned that IS cannot be beaten without attacking its strongholds in Syria. That has prompted questions about whether to co-operate with the Syrian government, which has offered to assist the international community in the fight against IS. |
| However, Washington and its allies still want Mr Assad out of power. In September, Mr Obama announced he had authorised air strikes in Syria, despite concerns over their legality, the threat of Syria's air defence system, and the fact that they might benefit Mr Assad. Instead, Mr Obama is relying on Syrian rebels to take the fight to IS and has called on the US Congress to authorise his plan to train and equip "moderate" groups. | |
| Turkey | Turkey |
| Turkey is eager to defeat IS, which has advanced into territory along its borders with Syria and Iraq. However, it refrained from signing a communique that committed a number of Middle Eastern states to take "appropriate" news measures to counter IS, frustrating US officials. | |
| Ankara's response has been reportedly restrained out of concern for the 49 Turkish citizens kidnapped by the jihadist group in Mosul in June. | |
| Turkey has nevertheless offered to allow humanitarian and logistical operations from Nato air bases on its soil. The authorities have also attempted to stem the flow through Turkish territory of jihadists wanting to join IS. Turkey has been one of the most vocal critics of President Assad and it became the primary route into Syria for foreigners wanting to fight alongside the rebels. Since the start of the year, more than 450 foreigners have been detained or deported and Turkish security forces have sought to close smuggling routes. | |
| Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey's military is also working on plans to establish a "buffer zone" along its borders. | |
| Turkey is anxious that weapons sent by Western countries to Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces do not end up in the hands of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - designated a terrorist group by Ankara, the US and EU - which has joined the fight against IS in northern Iraq. | |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia |
| Regional Sunni power Saudi Arabia has been a key supporter of Syrian rebel forces, including hardline Islamist groups, but it has rejected an Iranian accusation that it has directly supported IS. However, wealthy Saudis have sent donations to the group and some 2,500 Saudi men have travelled to Syria to fight. | Regional Sunni power Saudi Arabia has been a key supporter of Syrian rebel forces, including hardline Islamist groups, but it has rejected an Iranian accusation that it has directly supported IS. However, wealthy Saudis have sent donations to the group and some 2,500 Saudi men have travelled to Syria to fight. |
| The Saudi authorities are concerned that IS will inspire Saudi jihadists to challenge the monarchy's legitimacy and seek to overthrow it. King Abdullah has called for "rapid" action. | |
| In July, Riyadh deployed 30,000 troops to beef up security along its border with Iraq, and the following month hosted Iran's deputy foreign minister as the two regional rivals agreed to co-operate. | In July, Riyadh deployed 30,000 troops to beef up security along its border with Iraq, and the following month hosted Iran's deputy foreign minister as the two regional rivals agreed to co-operate. |
| The Saudi government hosted a meeting in September at which regional states vowed to "do their share" to combat IS. Riyadh has agreed to a US request to provide a base to train Syrian rebels, but Foreign Minister Prince al-Waleed bin Talal has said he does not believe his country will participate in military operations. | |
| Jordan | Jordan |
| Jordan, a staunch US ally, has security services and a military that could support efforts to combat IS. The group has threatened to "break down" Jordan's borders, although it is not thought likely to launch an assault anytime soon. | Jordan, a staunch US ally, has security services and a military that could support efforts to combat IS. The group has threatened to "break down" Jordan's borders, although it is not thought likely to launch an assault anytime soon. |
| The Jordanian military has nonetheless doubled its military presence along the border with Iraq. King Abdullah II attended the Nato summit in Wales in September, where the alliance discussed how to deal with IS. | The Jordanian military has nonetheless doubled its military presence along the border with Iraq. King Abdullah II attended the Nato summit in Wales in September, where the alliance discussed how to deal with IS. |
| Within Jordan itself, IS enjoys the support of a growing number of people, some of whom staged demonstrations in the southern town of Maan in June, and more than 2,000 Jordanian citizens are believed to have travelled to Syria to fight. | Within Jordan itself, IS enjoys the support of a growing number of people, some of whom staged demonstrations in the southern town of Maan in June, and more than 2,000 Jordanian citizens are believed to have travelled to Syria to fight. |
| The king has long called on Syria's President Assad to step down and has reportedly allowed Jordan to become a staging ground for the rebels and their foreign backers. | The king has long called on Syria's President Assad to step down and has reportedly allowed Jordan to become a staging ground for the rebels and their foreign backers. |
| Lebanon | Lebanon |
| Lebanon has become deeply divided by the conflict in Syria, and has had to deal with an overspill of violence and a huge influx of refugees. | Lebanon has become deeply divided by the conflict in Syria, and has had to deal with an overspill of violence and a huge influx of refugees. |
| In August, Syria-based IS fighters raided the border town of Arsal, killing and kidnapping dozens of Lebanese security personnel. | In August, Syria-based IS fighters raided the border town of Arsal, killing and kidnapping dozens of Lebanese security personnel. |
| Jihadist militants have also carried out a series of deadly bombings in Beirut and elsewhere. They have mostly targeted Iranian facilities and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia Islamist group whose fighters have played a key role in helping turn the tide in President Assad's favour. | |
| Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam has warned that the spread of IS poses "a big test that our destiny depends on". His country's many religious and political factions have been urged to put aside their differences to ensure the group does not establish a foothold. | Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam has warned that the spread of IS poses "a big test that our destiny depends on". His country's many religious and political factions have been urged to put aside their differences to ensure the group does not establish a foothold. |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| The UAE is believed to have offered its air force to attack IS positions in Iraq. It is vehemently opposed to Islamist groups in the region, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, and is believed to have launched air strikes on Islamist-allied militia in Libya from bases in Egypt in August. | |
| Qatar | Qatar |
| Qatar has rejected accusations from Iraq's Shia leaders that it has provided financial support to IS. However, wealthy individuals in the emirate are believed to have made donations and the government has given money and weapons to hardline Islamist groups in Syria. | Qatar has rejected accusations from Iraq's Shia leaders that it has provided financial support to IS. However, wealthy individuals in the emirate are believed to have made donations and the government has given money and weapons to hardline Islamist groups in Syria. |
| Doha is also believed to have links to the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate. | Doha is also believed to have links to the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate. |
| Since IS launched its offensive in northern Iraq in June, the Qatari authorities are reported to have repaired relations with other Gulf states who accused it of meddling in their affairs. | Since IS launched its offensive in northern Iraq in June, the Qatari authorities are reported to have repaired relations with other Gulf states who accused it of meddling in their affairs. |
| Other Arab states | |
| Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman joined Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon in signing a communique at a meeting in Jeddah that declared their "shared commitment to stand united against the threat posed by all terrorism". They pledged to provide military support and humanitarian aid, and to halt the flow of funds and foreign fighters to IS. | |
| Russia | Russia |
| Russia is one of President Assad's most important allies, providing it with diplomatic and military support. It has vetoed several UN Security Council resolutions condemning his deadly crackdown on peaceful dissent and continues to supply the Syrian military with weapons and aircraft. | Russia is one of President Assad's most important allies, providing it with diplomatic and military support. It has vetoed several UN Security Council resolutions condemning his deadly crackdown on peaceful dissent and continues to supply the Syrian military with weapons and aircraft. |
| Moscow's actions have prompted IS fighters to vow to oust President Vladimir Putin and "liberate" the North Caucasus. Russian security services believe hundreds of militants from Chechnya and other Caucasus republics have joined IS, including prominent commander Omar al-Shishani. | Moscow's actions have prompted IS fighters to vow to oust President Vladimir Putin and "liberate" the North Caucasus. Russian security services believe hundreds of militants from Chechnya and other Caucasus republics have joined IS, including prominent commander Omar al-Shishani. |
| In July, Russia delivered the first batch of 25 Sukhoi fighter jets to Iraq to help boost the firepower of its air force and it attended the Paris conference that discussed how to deal with the threat of IS. | |
| European Union | European Union |
| France has signalled that it is prepared to launch air strikes in Iraq and send special forces personnel to the country to help direct them and to train Iraqi government forces. It is already carrying out reconnaissance flights and providing weapons to Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq. Paris has at the same time expressed concerns about air strikes in Syria. | |
| The UK has said that no decision has been made about how it will be involved in the fight against IS, but that it would play a "leading role". It has not ruled out air strikes in Iraq or Syria, but has said targeting IS positions in the latter would be complicated. MPs voted against the government's plans for military action in Syria a year ago. | |
| Germany has said it has a "humanitarian responsibility... to help those suffering and to stop IS". It has provided weapons to Kurdish fighters but ruled out air strikes. | |