Al-Qaeda vs. Hizballah

Mohammed Azakir / Reuters

Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad celebrate the defeat of rebels in the city of al-Qusayr on June 5

The battle for the soul of Syria has taken an even deadlier turn over the past two months. The strategic center of the Middle East is also now a battleground between Hizballah and al-Qaeda, the region's two toughest extremist movements. The groups, both with roots outside Syria, represent rival versions of jihadism. Both use the same repugnantly violent tactics and advocate rigid Islamic rule: they're just from different sects.

This war within the war carries new dangers for the Middle East, for Islam and for the outside world. The regionalization of...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!