A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday reveals that Ben Carson has fallen from the top of the Republican nomination race, with 16 percent support among voters, as opposed to 27 percent for Donald Trump and 17 percent for Marco Rubio, ABC reports.  Indeed, some political observers argue that Marco Rubio, not Ted Cruz or Donald Trump, is the GOP’s best chance to occupy the White House, according to The Hill.

• Reuters: Russia Says It Has Proof Turkey Involved In Islamic State Oil Trade
• WaPo: Iraqis Think The U.S. Is In Cahoots With The Islamic State, And It Is Hurting The War
• The Hill: Poll: Sanders More Electable Than Hillary Against Top Republicans
• WashTimes: Pentagon, State Began Islamic State Strategy Meetings Only Two Months Ago
• AP: Late WWII US Veteran is 1st Soldier Honored for Saving Jews