Paul Rogers

ISIS is certainly under substantial pressure in Iraq and Syria, and has lost significant territory in both countries over the past year. This, though, is a very long way from defeat.

Syrian Army units have taken back the ancient city of Palmyra from the Islamic State (ISIS). The units are now also trying to extend their control to include al-Qaryatain, to the southwest of Palmyra, and Sukhnah, to the northeast.

The brutal attack on the staff of Charlie Hebdo has rightly led to powerful calls to protect freedom of expression, with large demonstrations of support in Paris and other French cities, complemented by statements of condemnation in the press across Europe.

After a month of fighting in Iraq, the ISIS insurgency has made considerable progress, even if there is now something of a stalemate as Shi'a militias organise themselves and the weak Iraqi Army gets a measure of support from Russia, the United States and especially Iran.