Hollins U. Middle East expert on Syria, the Kurds and the death of ISIS leader Gene Marrano October 30, 2019 1 minute read The chair of the political science department at Hollins University has studied the Middle East for many years. Now former Reagan White House staffer Ed Lynch offers his take on the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports: Share: Post navigation Previous: Bowers introduces “Virginia Plan” to move city elections to NovemberNext: Vegas, baby! Roanoke airfares are not always more expensive Related Stories United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge helps fund new nature trail signs in Rocky Mount Gene Marrano June 24, 2026 More Romeo & Juliet, new exhibit at Wilson Museum, Broadway in Roanoke releases schedule for 26-27 season Gene Marrano June 24, 2026 Feeding Southwest Virginia President and CEO Pamela Irvine will retire at the end of the year after 45 years with the Food Bank Gene Marrano June 24, 2026