The recent defeats of two US-backed rebel groups in Syria—Harakat al-Hazm, the US's largest recipient of support, and the Syria Revolutionaries Front (SRF) —by al-Qaeda's (AQ) Syrian affiliate, al-Nusra Front, delivered a major blow to the US-led coalition's fight against extremists in the country. Resulting from these attacks was the surrender of weapons and checkpoints to the group. Perhaps worse than the losses themselves, however, was the ultimate victory of al-Nusra Front, who will gain not only land and weapons from the battle, but also further support among Syrians—something that the US and its allies have yet to obtain.

In the fifth episode of the Islamic State's (IS) video series "Lend Me Your Ears," British captive John Cantlie discussed his experience with fellow prisoners from America and Europe, including fighters waterboarding them, and the "uncomfortable truth" about the U.S. and Britain not negotiating for their release.

Two attacks in Canada within the span of three days—one in the form of a hit-and-run by suspected jihadist Martin Rouleau on October 20 in Quebec, and another by multiple shooters (one of whom identified as a Canadian national named Michael Zehaf-Bibeau) on October 22 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa—has prompted strong reactions among the online jihadist community.

An Australian fighter in the Islamic State (IS) challenged the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and Syria, and declared that the group will continue fighting until its banner is placed atop Buckingham Palace and the White House.