i read a few articles today on the topic if isis, iraq and syria.. i think the title for this thread was changed to make it an umbrella for isis and what, at the time, appeared to be a development that many folks were interested in - astrologically and etc.. it seems like mosul where a coalition of forces are challenging isis control over the city is a focal point for the past 1-2 or so months. isis supposed capital of mosul and raqqa in syria seem to be under threat and some of the designs of all the players appears to have shifted here, or not! either way it seems isis is on the run..

it is interesting to me looking at the iraq sovereignty chart at the beginning of this thread set with 2 virgo rising - 2004 chart.. i note the transit of the north node close to the ascendant which i see as a strengthening feature. it also appears in one of the other charts on this thread - us airstrkes on isis for sept 2014 on page 2 also has virgo 7 degrees rising, so north node is at a similar place in the ascendant to both these charts.. at any rate - here are the 2 articles for anyone interested..

How Iran closed the Mosul 'horseshoe' and changed Iraq war
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN13W1H1

and - Making COIN
The modern history of an unstoppable bad idea
http://thebaffler.com/salvos/making-coin-shorrock