This file photo taken on October 20, 2017, shows a general view of heavily damaged buildings in Raqqa, Syria.(Photo: AFP)
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY: Syria's civil war has been raging for 7 years and no end in sight
The fighting in Syria enters its eighth year on Thursday. A conflict that began as a peaceful uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime escalated into a full-scale civil war that is now one of this century's deadliest.
Along the way, the Syrian conflict allowed Islamic State extremists to flourish, created the world's worst refugee crisis since World War II and exacerbated an international power struggle.
After seven years of relentless bloodshed, here is a recap of the crisis:
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 14, 2018
Iraq: Weighing the costs of war -- William D. Hartung, The Hill
Gulf Arabs relish Tillerson firing; Iran weighs nuclear deal -- Jon Gambrell, AP
Turkish-Arab ties marked by fear and loathing -- Semih Idiz, Al-Monitor
Understanding China's Massive Government Overhaul -- Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat
The myth of a neo-imperial China -- Pepe Escobar, Asia Times
Beware A Korean Reykjavik -- Michael Auslin, National Interest
What Makes Kim Jong Un Tick? -- Stephen Benedict Dyson, National Interest
South Korea’s presidential curse: another former leader in the dock -- Asia Times
Shinzo Abe: N Korea and a school scandal heap pressure on Japan's PM -- Dr John Nilsson-Wright, BBC
By the numbers: Zuma and ANC’s mutual dance to the bottom -- Robert Mattes, Mail & Guardian
How to derail Russia's energy war -- Agnia Grigas, Reuters
The Rising Tide of Europe’s Anti-Establishment Rebellion -- Andrew A. Michta, The American Interest
Weakened Merkel begins fourth term beset by challenges -- Paul Carrel & Madeline Chambers, Reuters
Will Pompeo Turn the State Department Around? -- Danielle Pletka, National Interest
Mike Pompeo may not be able to fix the State Department that Rex Tillerson leaves behind -- Christopher Woody, Business Insider
Do You Actually Know Why Stephen Hawking Was Famous? -- Tanya Basu, Daily Beast
