You Cannot Be Syria

“The first crucifixion came early that spring—a horrific event to recall even now. Everyone at the table remembered the shock of it. Then came more: two people, shot in the head by ISIS executioners, crucified, and left for days for all to witness in the city’s main traffic roundabout.” David Remnick on the citizen-reporters who risk it all to tell the truth about ISIS and Raqqa.

+ NYT: ISIS women and enforcers in Syria recount collaboration, anguish and escape.

+ Schools and the metro were closed again in Brussels as authorities worry about the threat of a major attack there. And somehow, the city-wide lockdown led to cat photos being shared on social media.