Elliot Ackerman, author of the critically acclaimed novels Dark at the Crossing and Green on Blue, has covered the Syrian Civil War since 2013. His writings have appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, The Atlantic, and The New York Times Magazine, among other publications, and his stories have been included in The Best American Short Stories. He is both a former White House Fellow and Marine, and served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart.