11-17-2014, 08:27 PM
Syria Update
Well, the US mission in Syria is pretty much a mess, though it has been reported that US airstrikes may have hit and may have killed the top IS leader in Iraq.
The Syrian rebel force that the US and partners are backing and training is reportedly seeing a lot of troops leaving to join Nusrah and other groups labeled as "terrorists" by the US. The defecting troops don't like it that the US is involved expressly for the purpose of thwarting IS and not also to dethrone Assad. I wonder how the Syrian strategy might change when the Republicans dominate Congress next year.
And, sadly, IS just released another beheading video -- gorier than the previous ones. This time, the footage shows IS holding the captive's severed head. They don't show him giving any forced anti-American speech and instead show clips of IS fighters decapitating Syrians and then spout a lot of recruitment rhetoric.
Peter Kassig, also known as Abdul-Rahman Kassig (he converted to Islam in Syria -- it's not clear if that was by choice or force) was 26 when he was beheaded. He'd previously served in Iraq. Kassig was from Indianapolis, Indiana and is pictured above with his parents. RIP.
Kassig was able to write letters to his parents while he was being held captive and indicated that it was most likely he would be killed -- kept telling them not to worry and how much he loved them. He knew the risks well when he decided to make it his mission to help Syrian refugees, but felt compelled to help others.
At a press conference today, his father Ed Kassig said, “Please pray for Abdul-Rahman, or Pete if that is how you knew him, at sunset this evening.… Lastly, please allow our family the time and privacy to mourn, cry—and yes, forgive—and begin to heal.” I don't know how you heal and forgive in a case like this, but I wish them peace.
Kassig's story: http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davids...ter-kassig
Well, the US mission in Syria is pretty much a mess, though it has been reported that US airstrikes may have hit and may have killed the top IS leader in Iraq.
The Syrian rebel force that the US and partners are backing and training is reportedly seeing a lot of troops leaving to join Nusrah and other groups labeled as "terrorists" by the US. The defecting troops don't like it that the US is involved expressly for the purpose of thwarting IS and not also to dethrone Assad. I wonder how the Syrian strategy might change when the Republicans dominate Congress next year.
And, sadly, IS just released another beheading video -- gorier than the previous ones. This time, the footage shows IS holding the captive's severed head. They don't show him giving any forced anti-American speech and instead show clips of IS fighters decapitating Syrians and then spout a lot of recruitment rhetoric.
Peter Kassig, also known as Abdul-Rahman Kassig (he converted to Islam in Syria -- it's not clear if that was by choice or force) was 26 when he was beheaded. He'd previously served in Iraq. Kassig was from Indianapolis, Indiana and is pictured above with his parents. RIP.
Kassig was able to write letters to his parents while he was being held captive and indicated that it was most likely he would be killed -- kept telling them not to worry and how much he loved them. He knew the risks well when he decided to make it his mission to help Syrian refugees, but felt compelled to help others.
At a press conference today, his father Ed Kassig said, “Please pray for Abdul-Rahman, or Pete if that is how you knew him, at sunset this evening.… Lastly, please allow our family the time and privacy to mourn, cry—and yes, forgive—and begin to heal.” I don't know how you heal and forgive in a case like this, but I wish them peace.
Kassig's story: http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davids...ter-kassig