The World and Everything In It 12.16.25 ISIS attacks in Syria, tariff relief for farmers, and Christmas in Bethlehem
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Dec 16, 2025 Richard Gazelle, a former Air Force intelligence officer and executive director of In Defense of Christians, sheds light on the dire situation in Syria. He discusses recent ISIS activity and the plight of Christian communities facing increasing pressures and violence. Gazelle also explores the implications of U.S. normalization with Syria's new leadership and the complexities of countering ISIS. In addition, he shares insights on the impact of U.S. sanctions and the challenges farmers face amid tariffs, alongside reflections on Christmas in Bethlehem.
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ISIS Is An Ideology, Not Just Territory
- ISIS lost territorial control but remains an active ideology that adapts under different banners.
- Richard Gazelle warns we face a nebulous, networked threat rather than a single discrete enemy.
Local Groups Blur The Lines Of Responsibility
- Local militant groups and transitional authorities often overlap or cooperate in practice.
- Gazelle cautions that labels like "ISIS attack" can mask complex local alliances and political cover.
Trust But Verify With New Syrian Leaders
- Proceed with cautious optimism when normalizing relations with new Syrian authorities.
- Gazelle urges "trust but verify" to separate political maneuvering from genuine change.
