John M. Beck
Roads and Kingdoms
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Past articles by John:
This island used to be a top-secret military base. Now the government wants to open it to tourists.
Sazan is the paranoia, secrecy, and militarism of Albania’s dictatorial past in reinforced concrete and iron. It’s also a gorgeous island that could boost the country’s economy. → Read More
Riot Police Block Kurdish Politicians From Marching to 'Besieged' Turkish Town
Members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party attempted to reach Cizre after a police and military crackdown on the town. They were stopped in the early hours of Thursday morning. → Read More
Explosion at Afghan Gas Terminal Kills 10 Children
The dead and injured were from a camp for Afghans displaced by 14 years of war which was located next to the gas terminal. → Read More
Islamic State Blows Up Ancient Temple in Palmyra
The jihadists detonated explosives in the 2000-year-old Baal Shamin temple, causing significant damage to its interior and collapsing some of its columns. → Read More
Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Cairo Car Bombing
At least 29 people were injured when a vehicle laden with explosives detonated in Egypt's capital early on Thursday. Six police officers were among the wounded. → Read More
Two Detained After Gunmen Attack Dolmabahce Palace in Central Istanbul
One police officer was slightly injured in the assault and authorities are still hunting for at least one other suspect. Grenades, guns, and ammunition were also recovered at the scene. → Read More
Everyone in Yemen Conflict May Have Committed War Crimes
Amnesty International says Saudi-led coalition airstrikes and fighting between Houthi rebels and pro-government groups in two southern Yemeni cities have killed more than 200 civilians, including dozens of children. → Read More
111 Killed by Syrian Regime Airstrikes on Marketplace
At least 300 others were injured in the attacks, which targeted a crowded marketplace in Douma, a suburb around seven miles from Damascus. → Read More
US Consulate Hit As Multiple Attacks Rock Turkey
It's not known whether Monday's attack on the US consulate in Istanbul and a car bomb at a police station elsewhere in the city are linked. Separate attacks in the southeast killed five people. → Read More
'There Will Be a Civil War in Turkey': Welcome to Cizre, the 'Center of Kurdish Resistance'
VICE News visited the southeastern Turkish town of Cizre, where a cycle of airstrikes and renewed attacks on Turkish troops threaten a return to a 30-year struggle that claimed more than 40,000 lives. → Read More
Family of Dead Afghan Taliban Leader Disputes Legitimacy of New Chief
The family of deceased Taliban head Mullah Omar and some of the group's commanders released a statement saying that they have not endorsed Mullah Akhtar Mansoor to head the Taliban. → Read More
Turkey Is Denying Entry to Bodies of YPG Fighters Killed Fighting IS
VICE News visited the Turkish border to meet relatives of YPG members killed fighting the Islamic State. It's thought the sudden refusal to let 13 bodies enter Turkey is a political move. → Read More
The Taliban Names New Leader as It Distances Itself From Peace Talks
The Taliban distanced itself from ongoing peace talks with the Afghan government Thursday, amid reports that it has named a successor to deceased leader Mullah Omar. → Read More
Turkey Signs Off on US Bombers Attacking Islamic State From Its Territory
American and allied aircraft will now be able to launch attacks on IS from southern Turkey, while Turkey's own jets have already begun to pound Kurdish militants in Iraq and Turkey. → Read More
NATO Is Cool With Turkey's 'War on Terror' Against The Islamic State and The Kurds
All member states expressed "strong support" for Turkey at an emergency meeting in Brussels, as Ankara pursues a two-pronged strategy targeting IS, and Kurdish groups that are allies in the anti-IS fight. → Read More
Turkey Accused of Shelling Syrian Kurds While Fatal Clashes Break Out in Istanbul
VICE News witnessed violence in Istanbul as Kurdish fighters in Syria accused Turkish troops of shelling their positions during a weekend which dented chances of peace with Turkey's own Kurdish population. → Read More
Turkish Aircraft Have Bombed Islamic State Militants in Syria
Three F-16 jets took off from an airbase in southern Diyarbakir in Friday's early hours and hit three Islamic State targets with laser-guided smart bombs, the prime minister's office said. → Read More
US Defense Secretary Makes Surprise Baghdad Visit
Carter met with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi to discuss the fight against Islamic State (IS) militants. → Read More
Suicide Attacker Kills 15 in Afghan Marketplace
The attacker detonated an explosive vest among a group of shoppers at a bazaar at Almar in northern Faryab province, killing mostly civilians and one Afghan Army soldier. → Read More
Iranian Parliament Reviews Nuclear Deal as North Korea Vows to Keep 'Nukes'
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif delivered a speech in support of the deal, which has been criticized by conservatives and the leadership of the country's Revolutionary Guards. → Read More