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AirTalk

Islamic State’s takeover of Syria highlights need for better protections of world’s artifacts

By AirTalk Staff
Published May 22, 2015
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JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
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A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a Syrian policeman patrolling the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows a Syrian policeman patrolling the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH EID (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)
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JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
)
A general view taken on May 18, 2015 shows the castle of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, a day after Islamic State (IS) group jihadists fired rockets into the city and killing five people. Fierce clashes have rocked Palmyra's outskirts since IS launched an offensive on May 13 to capture the 2,000-year-old world heritage site nicknamed "the pearl of the desert". AFP PHOTO /STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
A general view taken on May 18, 2015 shows the castle of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, a day after Islamic State (IS) group jihadists fired rockets into the city and killing five people. Fierce clashes have rocked Palmyra's outskirts since IS launched an offensive on May 13 to capture the 2,000-year-old world heritage site nicknamed "the pearl of the desert".
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STR/AFP/Getty Images
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Smoke rises after a Syrian Rocket launcher shell on Islamic State positions in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, about 215 kilometers northeast of Damascus on Tuesday. News reports say the Islamic State has taken control of the city.
Smoke rises after a Syrian Rocket launcher shell on Islamic State positions in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, about 215 kilometers northeast of Damascus on Tuesday. News reports say the Islamic State has taken control of the city.
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EPA/Landov
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A picture released in the 1930s of a caravan in Palmyra (Palmyre), an ancient city in central Syria, located in an oasis northeast of Damascus.
A picture released in the 1930s of a caravan in Palmyra (Palmyre), an ancient city in central Syria, located in an oasis northeast of Damascus.
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STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images
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Listen 16:42
Islamic State’s takeover of Syria highlights need for better protections of world’s artifacts

Among the fears of the Islamic State taking over cities like Palmyra in Syria, is what will happen to important artifacts, art and treasures in the region?

For the Islamic State, the city of Palmyra is an important propaganda tool. Because Palmyra is a world heritage site with thousands years of history as well as a  potential  revenue source, its takeover could be very devastating to Syria. The Islamic State has a track record of destroying areas, once they are completely looted. The stolen artifacts are then shipped and sold to countries all over the world.  

What can stop people from buying stolen artifacts in the U.S.? How are  governments working together to raise awareness about the sale of stolen artifacts? Are current policies and custom laws working? What more should government leaders be doing?

Guests:

Amr Al Azm, PhD Associate Professor of History  at Shawnee State University in southern Ohio

Deborah Lehr, Chair and Founder of the Antiquities Coalition

Phil Ewing, senior defense reporter  for POLITICO