The Briefing 10-19-17

The Caliphate in retreat: Coalition forces seize Raqqa from the Islamic StateNew York Times (Anne Barnard and Hwaida Saad) — Raqqa, ISIS ‘Capital,’ Is Captured, U.S.-Backed Forces Say

The resistance of secular Westerners to recognize the Islamic nature of the Islamic StateThe Atlantic (Graeme Wood) — What ISIS Really Wants

Chinese President Xi outlines vision for total Communist control in 3½ hour speechWashington Post (Simon Denyer) — Xi Jinping at China congress calls on party to tighten its grip on the countryThe Economist — Xi Jinping has more clout than Donald Trump. The world should be waryNew York Times (Chris Buckley) — Xi Jinping Opens China’s Party Congress, His Hold Tighter Than Ever

A teacher’s chilling question from rural ChinaNew York Times (Javier C. Hernández) — To Inspire Young Communists, China Turns to ‘Red Army’ SchoolsWall Street Journal (Andrew Browne) — China Uses ‘Digital Leninism’ to Manage Economy and Monitor Citizens

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