From WaPo, a lede that hammers home how little firsthand data we have about ISIS: “The Islamic State was routed Monday from one of its key strongholds on Syria’s border with Turkey after its defenses crumbled and its fighters either defected or fled, raising new questions about the group’s vaunted military capabilities.”

+ Fixing power lines, painting sidewalks, improving sewage systems. Inside ISIS’ other war. The one to offer services and win minds.

+ A drone strike killed a top Al Qaeda leader in Yemen.