Cutting ISIS’s Lifelines
Despite the recent ceasefire between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and most rebel groups, the Syrian conflict is far from over – not least because ISIS hasn't agreed to anything. But the widespread belief that the fall of the group's self-proclaimed capital, Raqqa, will amount to a fatal blow to ISIS is simply wrong.
FREIBURG, GERMANY – The fall of Aleppo last month to the Russia-backed forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has spurred yet another wave of discussion about the prospects for ending the civil war. Despite the recent countrywide ceasefire, guaranteed by Turkey and Russia, between Assad’s forces and most rebel groups, most seem to agree that the conflict is far from over. After all, the Islamic State (ISIS) has not agreed to anything – and is not going to.
FREIBURG, GERMANY – The fall of Aleppo last month to the Russia-backed forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has spurred yet another wave of discussion about the prospects for ending the civil war. Despite the recent countrywide ceasefire, guaranteed by Turkey and Russia, between Assad’s forces and most rebel groups, most seem to agree that the conflict is far from over. After all, the Islamic State (ISIS) has not agreed to anything – and is not going to.