2015 had more than its share of bad news. But it also saw groundbreaking victories on climate, marriage equality, the drug war, and diplomacy.
10 Good Things About the Not-So-Great Year 2015
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Middle East & North Africa
Vladimir Putin: Sweetheart
That is, if concern for the fate of fellow tyrants like Syrian President Assad makes him a sensitive guy.
Is Russia Actually Targeting Civilians in Syria?
According to Amnesty International, bombing by Russia results in killing 16 civilians for every one Islamic State fighter.
Inside the U.S. Drone War on the Islamic State
How the Pentagon is using the “ISIS crisis” to expand its footprint in the Horn of Africa.
Islamic State Hides in Plain Sight
Islamic State leaders evade airstrikes through mingling with citizens and never letting the grass grow under them.
Terrorism and Trump: New Challenges for Social Justice Organizations
The progressive movement must grapple with Trump and terrorism simultaneously.
Republican Candidates Defend Killing Civilians to Fight Terrorism—and So Do Democrats
There’s a bipartisan effort to justify the killing of civilians in the “war on terrorism.”
The Ghost of the Islamic State Future
The future could hold many surprises from the Islamic State.
How the Islamic State Is Like a Multinational Corporation
The Islamic State is pursuing a strategy of mergers and acquisitions.
Saudi Women Voted for the First Time. Is It Real Progress or Window Dressing?
Some 99 percent of eligible Saudi women skipped their first chance to vote — some because gender segregation laws kept them away, others because they boycotted.