the least out-of-date news on looting and destruction in Iraq

Limits on communication, limits on information and sheer lack of physical security severely limit our knowledge of the situation in Iraq. But in light of the threat to the safety of all civilians and the existence of minority communities, it is worth trying to establish some facts concerning looting and destruction in the conflict. Until recently, violent cultural destruction had been limited; but that had been a strategic self-limitation, rather than a moral decision or a physical incapacity, and the Islamic State has definitely initiated aggressive and provocative violence (in which Christopher Jones (@cwjones89) has done sterling work in identifying and describing the targets).