The immediate task in the battle for Mosul is liberating its 1.5 million residents from the brutality of Islamic State. But as difficult as that fight will be–it could take months–securing the city after ISIS is expelled would be equally challenging. During a fact-finding mission to Erbil and Kirkuk this month shortly before the coalition offensive began, the concern we heard most is whether, already, the focus on a military defeat of ISIS has eclipsed planning for how to shape the aftermath.
The above excerpt was originally published in The Wall Street Journal.
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