ISIS AND ANTIQUITIES WATCH: UN peacekeepers to guard heritage sites from Islamic State. Spurred by destruction in Palmyra, UNESCO okays Italian plan to charge Blue Helmets with protecting sites in danger zones (AFP). The plan is actually to protect heritage sites around the world. This is potentially very good news, as long as the UN understands what it is getting itself into and is ready to expend blood and treasure to protect these sites. If this plan ends up being carried out, I applaud the courage of these UN peacekeepers and I wish them the best.
Background on the assault of ISIS on the past and its caretakers is here and here and links.
