**MSN**Vox**. The war in Syria explained...long read but worth it...imo

[Heartstrings]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-war-in-syria-explained/ar-AAvIj7W?li=BBnbcA1

[oberliner]

1. Zack Beauchamp is going to explain the war in Syria?

Really? This guy?

[Heartstrings]

2. Guess not, in your opinion....

[oberliner]

3. Here's my take

I would prefer to hear from someone who has been on this planet a little longer and who has spent time in the region.

Apologies for being snarky about it - I know a lot of people won't agree with me, and I'm sure some folks will find value in the Vox article.

[paleotn]

16. cliff notes version.

[Squinch]

5. Did you read it? It's quite good.

[oberliner]

10. Yes, it is fine for what it is

It just rubs me the wrong way, as I've posted elsewhere on this thread, when a young, white American guy who is only a few years out of college puts together an "explainer" on Syria.

I would prefer to have the Syria situation explained to me by:

1. A person who is Syrian and/or has lived in Syria for the last 5-10 years.

2. A person who is old enough to have understood how Hafez al-Assad came to power, why Atassi and Jadid were deposed, and what the US-European role was during that period.

A book written in concert by combination of those two categories of people could serve as a good starting point.

I recognize that people disagree with my take and I respect that and understand that this article could be useful for people.

[Squinch]

15. As a person who has not lived in Syria for the last 5-10 years, then, by your own

criteria, who are you to have an opinion on whether someone else's article about Syria is worthwhile?

But it rubs you the wrong way, so of course we do understand that you could not simply pass it by. We do understand that because it rubs you the wrong way you had to to discredit it and give as your reasons the author's age and appearance.

[LakeArenal]

18. You are my hero for the day. 🏅

Thanks Squinch.

[sharedvalues]

8. Oberliner, why smear Vox here?

You picked out a bad pic of Beauchamp and posted it. Instead of critiquing the writing.

And even better than being negative, why not be constructive: who has done a better job on Syria? What are better articles? Post them.

I’ll be interested to read other articles on Syria that you think are good and post.

[oberliner]

9. It's the pic he uses on his bio

I get frustrated by a white American guy who just graduated college a few years ago explaining the conflict in Syria with a "here's what you need to know" sort of attitude. Just rubs me the wrong way.

I would argue that the conflict in Syria is not something that can be explained by a Vox article. I'd recommend reading:

'Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War' by Robin Yassin-Kassab and Leila Al-Shami

That would be a good starting point, in my humble opinion.

[sharedvalues]

12. Ok, how about articles online?

How about a commensurate article. Any good articles in your opinion about the conflict in Syria?

[Squinch]

4. Excellent article! Great snapshot of history and factors at play. Thank you.

Wonder why others are trying to discredit it with lame ad hoc insults at its author.

[Heartstrings]

7. Thanks!

I thought the article was informative as well. I don’t really give much credence to a writers “looks” or age, it’s more about content....
To each his (or her) own....

[oberliner]

11. Other articles by this author: "Why Democrats have no foreign policy ideas"

On issue after issue, from the war in Afghanistan to the rise of China, Democrats have little exciting to offer. Democratic members of Congress are happy to give fiery speeches condemning Trump’s policies on terrorism or Russia, but that’s not very different from what Republicans did on health care while President Barack Obama was in office.

https://www.vox.com/world/2017/9/5/16220054/democrats-foreign-policy-think-tanks

[Squinch]

13. Did you read this one? It's quite good. But yes, I get it. He's too young and his

writings should be discounted due to his appearance.

[underpants]

6. 👀

Will read later. Thanks.

[bronxiteforever]

14. Thank you heartstrings. Great article.

[paleotn]

17. An even more concise version of an extremely complex and nuanced situation....

Good article, but there's only so much one can put in an article. Think I'll read the book.