Israel emulates ISIS; Baalbek.

Baalbek Temple of Bacchus

While waiting in Beirut for a visa to enter Syria in May 2018, we took advantage of the free time to visit Baalbek, which had only recently reopened to tourists. Terrorist groups had been ensconced in Arsal not far to the north for some years, but had finally been forced out by a combination of… Continue reading Israel emulates ISIS; Baalbek.

Israel emulates ISIS; Palmyra

Palmyra at sunset 2010

Back in 2015, a convoy of ISIS vehicles headed south from their base in Raqqa towards the ancient Roman city of Palmyra and the small town of Tadmor that serves this World Heritage treasure. The town also housed a Syrian government prison and army garrison – which was the ostensible target of the takfiris, but… Continue reading Israel emulates ISIS; Palmyra