Jordan launches airstrikes against ISIS

Jordanians protest ISIS killing.

Just hours after King Abdullah of Jordan vowed to wage "relentless" war against the Islamic State, Jordanian airstrikes targeted militants in eastern Syria. The fighter jets have already reportedly returned home after carrying out a mission coordinated with coalition allies.

Jordan had previously been divided on joining the offensive against ISIS, but that uncertainty disappeared after a video showed the brutal killing of Jordanian air force pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh who was burned alive. Jordan initially responded by executing two militant prisoners, including would-be suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi, whose release ISIS had originally demanded. —Lauren Hansen

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Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.