I know that there are many former sailors and airmen here at DU.

[Rebellious Republican]

Any of you that wish to join in on this disscussion, please check it out.

we have a bunch of Navy and Air Force vets here banging the war drum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3572507

[Downwinder]

1. All I say is "Volunteer."

Just remember you become a target for both sides in a domestic dispute. in Syria there are at least ten sides.

Shias
Sunnis
Alawites
Christians
Druze
Kurds
Armenians
Assyrians
Turks
Arabs

[Rebellious Republican]

2. Lots of folks here do not understand the complexities of this part of the world.

If they have never been there.

[Downwinder]

3. Syria was a dissident dumping ground for the Ottoman Empire.

I am sure I left some groups out.

[Rebellious Republican]

4. Given their history, yes it is hard to include them all.

[Downwinder]

5. Missed:

Palestinians
Syrian Jews (800K in Israel) Aleppo was a major Jewish center going back to biblical times