When the black flags of the Islamic State (ISIS) swept across Syria and Iraq, terror reigned—and women bore the brunt. ISIS militants captured, enslaved, and sold women in brutal slavery markets, where abuse was both systematic and sadistic. But amid this nightmare, a defiant force emerged: the women of the YPJ. The Women’s Protection Units,…
The trainer paced the grounds of a mountain enclave in southwestern Syria, shouting at dozens of new recruits as they drilled sprints between barricades made from old car tires. “You have to practice as if it’s real,” screamed the instructor, Fadi Azam. “Want me to start shooting at you instead to make it real?” he…
Syria’s interim government is bringing together people from the country’s many religions and sects for a two-day national dialogue that began on Monday. What is the national dialogue? Ahmed al-Shara, the country’s interim president, whose rebel coalition seized control of Syria in early December, promised to hold a national dialogue to discuss the formation of…