It’s actually more than a news source. The site…
http://www.understandingwar.org/
will indeed let you sign up for daily emails, but their regional updates are much more than a news site. They help you understand the conflicts and personages BEHIND the news… the people CAUSING the news to happen and why. The truth is, they’re not a news outlet, so they’re not trying to boost ‘hits’ or ‘likes’ or viewership. They’re just trying to understand our world. They’re a non-profit with a primary goal of compiling a knowledgebase to help people like you (and the political types) make decisions. Please check them out. (Thanks Caleb!)
Please note that a central emphasis of this organization is on “strategic US objectives” as per below. So that does bring into question the objectivity of this info source.
“The Institute for the Study of War advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education. We are committed to improving the nation’s ability to execute military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve U.S. strategic objectives. ISW is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization.” – See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/who-we-are#sthash.wUuaqtxA.dpuf
Kelly-
ISW openly publishes policy recommendations to US lawmakers and military leaders as well as working with them directly. That doesn’t affect the information they share with the public about their research and predictions surrounding conflicts though.
ISW was one of, if not the first, think tanks to realize Russia’s true intention in Ukraine (they used publicly available data to infer a sizable military build up was occurring). Missionaries and agencies would undoubtedly have benefitted from that information.
They offer some of the best tracking of the Syrian civil war and ISIS (As said by Jason Landis, noted Syria expert). I just saw one of their maps being used at the University of Chicago’s Near East Museum. Few, if any, other groups researching with such expertise make their publications available for free.
I would encourage you to check them out, even sign up for the mailing list. They aren’t a war advocacy group or anything :) just a group researching and publishing.