The author (2nd from left) with members of the Syrian Civil Defense (a rebel group opposed to ISIS) in Azaz, Syria last year. (Courtesy photo)

Alex is a cofounder and editor of The Seattle Globalist. He's a visual journalist whose work has been published by PBS, The Seattle Times, FRONTLINE/World and the Seattle Weekly.  Alex teaches journalism in the University of Washington's Department of Communication and recently directed the documentary film Barzan.