Coyotes frequently spark robust conversations among Marin County residents, rivaling local passions for e-bikes. The animals are native to California, dating back to ancient times when they roamed freely—evident in their plentiful fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits. Yet today, many neighbors debate how best to live alongside these wild visitors.

Amid the turbulence that followed Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, Salamiyah has emerged as a rare island of stability in Syria. With a population representing Ismailis, Sunnis, and Alawites, the city stands as a testament to coexistence, offering a glimpse of how hope might endure beyond conflict.