There are now two Syrias. One is run by men who fight for God, not democracy. The other is ruled by a secular but authoritarian regime accused of many crimes against its people. The choice between the two will not be decided at the polls.
War damages men - and Syria is no different.
In all the towns and villages it controls, ISIS has implemented its very conservative version of Sharia. Rules on appearance are strictly enforced: a beard for men, the full veil for women. This is required for the whole population.
The jihadists of ISIS wish to go back to what they see as a more pure form of Islam from the time of the Prophet and his companions. They believe in a literal interpretation of the Koran.
Nobody should believe something just because an intelligence agent says it.
