An oasis in the desert. That’s what Syrian determination can create. Once I was reporting in a dusty refugee camp in Jordan when I heard that one resident had built a swimming pool (of sorts) and was charging others $1 for a dip. 

My Syrian fixer, who had had two brothers disappear in the war, showed the same sort of determination to make the most of his present opportunities.

I was reminded of them both by our story today about commanders cobbling together a new army in Syria. Whether you’re a refugee, a commander, or an American journalist, there’s a lesson in their willingness to leave behind the old and forge something new that better serves others.