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Destroyed vehicles are seen in the final ISIS encampment on March 24th, 2019, in Baghouz, Syria.

News in Brief

As the U.S. Declares ISIS Defeated, Here’s a Look Back at When the Taliban Was ‘Defeated’ in 2001

Experts have already warned that the territorial defeat of the self-declared caliphate does not mean that the war is won. Afghanistan offers a warning of how ISIS could resurge.

Jack Herrera

A Syrian Democratic Forces armored vehicle drives through streets near the frontline on February 10th, 2019, in Bagouz, Syria, as part of the SDF's campaign to oust ISIS fighters from the last village in eastern Syria held by the extremist group.

Viewfinder: Syrian Democratic Forces Battle ISIS

The Syrian Democratic Forces are waging a campaign to expel ISIS from the last village the extremist group holds in Syria.

Pacific Standard Staff

Viewfinder: Syrian Fighters Train in Aleppo

Turkish-backed Syrian fighters train in a camp in the Aleppo countryside of northern Syria on December 16th, 2018.

Pacific Standard Staff

Welcome to the Almost-Country of Abkhazia

A tiny territory on the Black Sea hopes to boost its bid for nationhood by welcoming Syrians fleeing civil war.

Laura Kasinof

Yemenis gather next to the destroyed bus at the site of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike, on August 10th, 2018.

News in Brief

When Is the U.S. Responsible for Allies’ Civilian Casualties?

The U.S. is effectively fighting both sides of Yemen's ongoing civil war, with no clear definition of what victory looks like.

Jared Keller

A man walks in the open air market in Manbij, northern Syria, on March 28th, 2018.

In Northern Syria, Residents Balk at Turkish Threats

A snap election in Turkey, announced earlier this month, briefly put residents of Northern Syria on edge ahead of a threatened incursion by Turkish forces. Now, it's back to life-as-usual.

Kenneth R. Rosen

Tucker Carlson interviews Glenn Greenwald about U.S. strikes in Syria on April 10th, 2018.

News in Brief

Dear Leftists: Going on Tucker Carlson Is Not Going to Stop Imperialism

An anti-war movement that embraces authoritarianism and conspiracy theories is an anti-war movement that will lead us to more war.

Noah Berlatsky

In this handout released by the U.S. Navy, the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) fires a Tomahawk land attack missile at Syria as part of an allied strike on April 13th, 2018.

News in Brief

‘Their Impact Was Close to Zero’: Syrians React to Coalition Missile Strikes

Many feel as if the military actions of the U.S., U.K., and France were ineffectual and not intended to actually protect many of the country's beleaguered people.

Youmna al-Dimashqi

Demonstrators march in New York City on April 15th, 2018, during an anti-war protest after President Donald Trump launched airstrikes in Syria.

News in Brief

‘I Don’t Think It Changes the Situation’: Syrian Americans React to the U.S.’s Damascus Strikes

Opinions vary on the ethics of Trump's weekend airstrikes, but everyone agrees that they will do little to halt the Assad administration's reported use of chemical weapons.

Massoud Hayoun