Globe Trot: Putin celebrates Palmyra victory, Assad kills more civilians

SYRIA: Airstrikes by the Bashar al-Assad regime on a camp for displaced people killed at least 28 civilians, as renowned Russian conductor and Vladimir Putin supporter Valery Gergiev led a concert atop the ruins of Palmyra, where ISIS executed at least 25 Syrians. The show was designed to demonstrate Russia’s crucial role in retaking key territory and ancient sites from ISIS.

CONGO: “The 16 bodies are in front of me, killed by machete or axe,” reports a local administrator in North Kivu, as attacks by roving Islamic militants have reportedly killed dozens, including church leaders, and forced thousands to flee.

VENEZUELA: This story details the epic deal-making that led Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to drop his objection to the nomination of a new U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The deal, which included new sanctions against Venezuela, cleared the way for Roberta Jacobson to assume the post in Mexico City.

Shortages of all kinds rule the day in Venezuela, as the bumbling successor to Hugo Chavez, Nicolás Maduro, hangs on.

IRAQ: Rubio also turned up in Baghdad this week, but unless you’re reading the Arab press, who knew?

Chaldean priest Douglas Bazi is touring the United States, and his story is worth hearing. Bazi was tortured and kidnapped by Islamic militants and now serves rescued Christians and Yazidis in a camp he set up in northern Iraq.

“To be Christian in Iraq, it’s an impossible mission,” Bazi said. “But even so, I’m not actually surprised when they attack my people. I’m surprised how my people are still existing.”

I’M READING: Syrian Dust by Francesca Borri and Answering Jihad by Nabeel Qureshi.