The day is fast approaching when, not if, coalition forces finally bring an end to the reign of terror of ISIS.
Since the organisation declared a caliphate in the Middle East only a few years ago that controlled most of Syria and Iraq, such an end has been inevitable.
ISIS never had the resources of the developed world – the military machine, money, might and muscle of America, Europe and their allies that had more than a passing interest in making sure the brutal regime did not spread beyond their nearby borders.
Now, the once feared terror group is limited to holding a square mile or two of desert around the border town of Baghousz in the Euphrates Valley.
Scars of war
Tired, hungry, bowed and carrying the mental and physical scars of war, jihadists and their families have seen the brutal reality of bombs and missiles rain down on them from the skies as they would have fighters treat innocents in other countries in the name of Islam.
Thousands are cowering in tunnels and have resorted to planting mines and picking off the enemy with sniper rifles. But this is just a final, petulant denial of what will come.
ISIS may have feet on the ground but lacks power in the skies. Jets and missiles dictate the winners of wars in the 21stCentury, however many defiant followers a cause may have.
But the battle for hearts and minds has barely started.
ISIS melts away
As ISIS melts away as a footnote in the history of conflict in the Middle East, another chapter is about to start for the stateless Kurds.
The Kurds provided the troops that beat ISIS for America, but they have a continuing fight for independence from the Turks, Syria and Iraq. The Kurd homelands straddle the three countries.
As the Americans pull out, the Kurds want political recognition and that means land, but far from being grateful for their help with ISIS, their neighbours don’t want to give them a formal home.
The Kurds have men and weapons as well as a grievance
The Middle East has been a crucible for war for hundreds of years. The world may have changed, new borders may have been drawn but the feelings of nationalism have not changed with them.