![Meet The American Who's Taking The Fight To ISIS](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/1143/108002/55e0b64da0288/Matthew-VanDyke.jpg)
IF THERE WERE AN AWARD FOR THE AMERICAN WITH THE LONGEST rap sheet in the Middle East, Matthew VanDyke would be a top contender. By his own estimate, the 36-year-old from south Baltimore has been arrested in Iraq no fewer than 20 times, each time for essentially the same offense: being an American with no official business in Iraq. The last time, he and a friend were mistaken for Al Qaeda operatives at an Iraqi Army checkpoint on the road from Kurdistan to Baghdad. They were on motorcycles, headed to the Iraqi capital to begin filming an adventure documentary called Warzone Bikers: Baghdad to Bagram.
VanDyke’s bike was damaged during the arrest, and after he defiantly asked the Iraqi soldiers to fix it, the duo were hooded, beaten, and driven to a compound in Baghdad where they were lined up against a wall and mock-executed. “I figured we were going to die, but I wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of seeing me afraid,” VanDyke says matter-of-factly. “But don’t worry. Those days are over.” I’m glad to hear it, because right now, as he’s telling the story, we’re driving through Iraq on some very unofficial business.
There are two others in the Toyota Hilux: an ex–U.S. Army para trooper called Kojak and our driver, a burly Iraqi in his early 30s with a DIY tattoo of a cross on his wrist. The Iraqi, I’m convinced, is trying to kill us—swerving through an endless procession of oil trucks at 90 miles per hour as we ascend along a narrow two-lane road into the bright green mountains of Kurdistan.
Denne historien er fra August 2015-utgaven av Maxim.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2015-utgaven av Maxim.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![150 YEARS of SUPERYACHTS STYLE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/NjmdSIMnX1716817372935/150-YEARS-OF-SUPERYACHTS-STYLE.jpg)
150 YEARS of SUPERYACHTS STYLE
Here's why Benetti's expensive-but-worth-it vessels have been favored by the beautiful people, from James Bond to Donald Trump, David Bowie and Jay-Z
![KING of the PRANCING HORSES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/7BVVMjE7r1716817093546/KING-OF-THE-PRANCING-HORSES.jpg)
KING of the PRANCING HORSES
The extremely sought-after Ferrari 250 series-including the sales record-setting 250 GTO-are the most valuable cars that money can buy
![LUST for LIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/DCoxmhm9-1716816880221/LUST-FOR-LIFE.jpg)
LUST for LIFE
French photographer Philippe Shangti's world of lush, sometimes lurid seenes isn't always what it seems
![A CENTURY of MOROCCAN STYLE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/gzU0UCPlA1716816585184/A-CENTURY-OF-MOROCCAN-STYLE.jpg)
A CENTURY of MOROCCAN STYLE
The legendary La Mamounia in Marrakech unveils a multimillion-dollar renovation on the occasion of its 100th anniversary
![SPRITZ & SPREZZATURA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/WAz5ik_x71716816313819/SPRITZ-SPREZZATURA.jpg)
SPRITZ & SPREZZATURA
Everything you need to know about the evolution of the spritz, which has gone beyond bitter into vibrant, refreshing and eclectic
![APEX PREDATOR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/U2_HAGOl61716816099814/APEX-PREDATOR.jpg)
APEX PREDATOR
Driving the new GT 63 supercar across the hills of Spain reveals Mercedes-AMG only made a great supercar better
![HAPPIEST ANNIVERSARIES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/PcpP0jwC-1716815887432/HAPPIEST-ANNIVERSARIES.jpg)
HAPPIEST ANNIVERSARIES
When it comes to fine smokes, \"anniversario\" blends just keep getting better with time
![THE RAZOR'S EDGE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/yylXTVdsD1716815692162/THE-RAZORS-EDGE.jpg)
THE RAZOR'S EDGE
Collectors are taking note of William Henry's nextlevel pocket knives, the ultimate in luxury cutting tools
![LIGHTS, CAMERA ,ACTION!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/rebZQUa-p1716815579036/LIGHTS-CAMERA-ACTION.jpg)
LIGHTS, CAMERA ,ACTION!
A conversation with Emmy-winning cinematographer and director Keyan Safyari
![ROLLIN' THUNDER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1143/1682596/EUWYxxLgT1716815445388/ROLLIN-THUNDER.jpg)
ROLLIN' THUNDER
Malaysia's Rollin Machine crafts a world-class tribute to the Royal Enfield Interceptor