Only a day after US soldiers pulled off a successful raid in Syria – killing a senior Islamic State figure – the Sunni extremist group took control of Ramadi – a key strategic Iraqi city. This good news, bad news scenario is a reminder that the fight against ISIS has no easy answers, sparking a new debate over US strategy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is widely credited with creating a highly effective multi-platform media campaign to compliment his policy of restoring his country to its former glory. That along with the Islamic States’ slick use of social media has prompted a new debate about whether or not US efforts to counter such ideology needs a rethink.

The exorbitant cost of running for President of the United States has been part of the narrative of campaigns for decades. Money is still the name of the game for all presidential hopefuls. The price tag keeps on rising, and with the Internet, raising huge amounts of money has never been easier.

With the rapid growth of the digital era comes the inevitable rise of cyberattacks on computing networks – and warnings of their crippling effects on governments and security. But in a column published this week in Foreign Affairs, the co-authors downplay their danger, arguing that such attacks have proven to be “more smoke than fire.”

After two tense years of no talks, Secretary of State John Kerry finally met with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. Observers are mixed on whether or not American diplomatic efforts were worthwhile given the chilly relations since the annexation of Crimea — and if anything concrete was achieved. Some opined that talks without news are a sign that the chill may not be as cold as thought.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, hosted by President Obama, opens amid deep skepticism towards a potential nuclear agreement with Iran. The administration is expected to soothe the worries of the Gulf states with new security arrangements – and billions of dollars in weapons sales.

Congress has denied the president authority to negotiate trade pacts without congressional meddling. The loss is expected to hobble Obama’s ability to pass an ambitious – and controversial – free trade accord involving 12 Pacific Rim nations.