Islamic State Containment Is Collapsing in Syria

An offensive by Syria's new government against its former Kurdish allies has shattered the containment strategy for the Islamic State. The resulting chaos has led to the collapse of detention camps, with intelligence estimates suggesting 15,000 to 20,000 people linked to the group are now at large. Despite this, the United States is withdrawing its troops and shifting support to the new Damascus-centered government to handle counter-terrorism. This fragile new regime, however, is fueling sectarian polarization, creating a permissive environment that could allow the Islamic State to resurge.