The Nation magazine in Syria

I have not bothered to follow the Nation magazine for a while.  What do you expect from an ostensibly leftist magazine which--under its current editor--has been transformed into a voice for the mainstream of the Democratic Party and which has become more and more cowardly on Arab-Israeli issues--not that it has ever been brave but at least under Victor Navasky it allowed some voices of dissent.  Now on Syria:  "The last time I came here, the rebels had just taken Azaz, a historic and strategically important town with twin minarets just five kilometers from the border. As Abdul Kareem walks me around it, however, I see that their prize is now a ghost town."  Your esteemed correspondent failed to mention that A`zaz is also where the thugs of the Fee Syrian Army keeps its victims of sectarian kidnappings.  (thanks Sam)