this is In the News.Sunni Muslim militants have been putting pressureon the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.Officials in both Baghdad and Washingtonare concerned about the militant group ISIL-- the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.The recent successes of the groupalso are of concern to al-Qaida, its one-time ally.Western officials once thought of al-Qaidaas the world's leading terror organization.Last winter, al-Qaida leaders disowned ISILand its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,for refusing to obey orders.They criticized his goal of creating a borderless caliphate,or Islamic state,across parts of Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.On Sunday, in an audio recording,ISIL declared itself an "Islamic State"without the words "Iraq and the Levant."The group named its chief as "the caliph," or head of state,and "leader for Muslims everywhere."After the announcement, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asked all Muslimsto move in and join the fighting in Iraq and Syria.The declaration of the caliphate is likely to intensify the disputebetween ISIL and al-Qaida.Aaron Zelin is a Middle East expert.He wrote that,"The two groups are now in an open warfor supremacy of the global jihadist movement."In his words, "ISIL holds an advantage,but the battle is not over yet."The Washington Institute for Near East Policy reported his comments.With its recent success in Iraq,ISIL has increased its standing among jihadior Islamist groups worldwide.Ansar Bait al-Maqdis is a jihadist groupbased in the Sinai Peninsula.It has been supportive of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.The group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombingin Egypt earlier this year.The attack killed three South Koreansand injured more than 10 other people.In North Africa, Ansar al-Sharia groupshave published pro-ISIL messages on the Internet.Jihadists in the Gaza Strip have also expressed supportfor the ISIL leader.Charles Lister is a visiting fellow with the Brookings Doha Center.He says the declaration of a caliphate by ISIL"poses a huge threat to al-Qaida and its long-time positionof leadership of the international jihadist cause."In his words, "taken globally,the younger generation of the jihadist communityis becoming more and more supportive of ISIL.We will very likely find ourselves in a dualistic positionof having two competing international jihadist representatives-- al-Qaida, with a now more locally-focusedand gradual approach to success;and the Islamic State, with a hunger for rapid resultsand total hostility for competition."The pressure on Iraq's central government is more immediate.The government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikihas asked the United States for airstrikes against the ISIL without success.The Iraqis are now turning to Russia for help.Lukman Faily is the Iraqi ambassador to the U.S.He says "We have a need. There is a void.If the U.S. can't fill that void, whomever is available-- including Russia -- then they are welcome to fill that void."President Barack Obama is not taking any chances.On Monday, he announced he is sending more troopsto Iraq to protect the U.S. embassy and the Baghdad airport.The troop deployment brought to nearly 800 the number of U.S. forces in Iraq.And that's In the News from VOA Learning English.