ISIS is plundering archaeological treasures at an 'unprecedented' pace

The key to defeating ISIS might rest in auction houses, not the Pentagon

Syria looting
(Image credit: (REUTERS/ Shaam News Network/Handout))

Islamic State fighters capture an archaeological site, they're faced with a series of choices. Do they destroy it or sell its artifacts? If they decide it's idolatrous, do they extort protection money for it from the Shiite, Sufi, Yazidi, or other religious minority group that values it? Or do they demolish it right away and feature the demolition in their propaganda? If they loot it, do they ransack the place themselves or do they hire others to do it? Or do they tax the opportunistic looters who show up?

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