Unlikely Survivor in Post-Islamic State Wasteland: Olive Trees

“For two years I couldn’t get to those trees,” says Issa, 24, pointing to a fading patch of olive trees at the base of a nearby mountain.  “But now I water them and they will come back.  Olives are strong.” The mountain, he explains, was held by Peshmerga forces while his Iraqi village was held by Islamic State militants.  Local people were not allowed too close, lest they attempt escape.   Two weeks ago, Peshmerga took Bashiqa after a bitter three-day battle, but...

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