Erstellt am: 8. 8. 2014 - 13:00 Uhr

The threat facing Iraq's Yazidis

Reality Check: US to intervene in Iraq, Presidential elections in Turkey

Obama approves air strikes against Iraq

UPI/Pool

Obama says the US cannot turn "a blind eye" to the violence in Iraq, but how far will he go?

As the Islamic State continues its campaign and extends its territory in Iraq, the US declares it will take military action to defend its own interests and Iraqi minorities.

One of the minorities is the 50 thousand strong Yazidi religious group currently under siege from the Islamic State on Mount Sinjar.

Persecution is nothing new for Yazidis, who are considered by some Muslims to be "devil worshippers". This false impression comes from the simple fact that the Yazidis' primary deity is called Melek Taus - or Shaitan. Shaitan is the word the Koran uses for "Devil".

This has been enough for the Yazidis to be persecuted for centuries - and now its happening all over again.

Shashank Joshi explains who the Yazidis are, and why he believes US support for them, and other minorities, will not amount to more than a few carefully chosen air strikes.

EPA/SEDAT SUNA

Erdogan is expected to win comfortably, but how will that affect the political landscape?

Presidential elections in Turkey

Turks go to the polls on Sunday in the first direct election of a president in the country's history. The current Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, looks almost certain to win.

Dorian Jones explains the significance of the election and what the result might mean for the country.

FM4 Reality Check

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