What seems missing in the Syria debate is the religious conflict between three Muslim sects.
Are Alawite, Shia and Sunni religious leaders doing anything to bridge hostilites between themselves? What solutions have they proposed?
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The authoritative nature of the ruling regime keeps the internecine conflicts in check. We've seen what happens when the authority is removed without a plan on what one should do on D-Day+1. In Iraq. And other places... Lebanon, Afghanistan anybody? How about something more recent? Egypt!
That region is a clusterfuck no matter what one does.
Religion is a huge problem throughout the entire region. It's the sole reason why there's so much war. It's not so much Islam. Hell! The various Islam sects are at each other's throats as much as against other religions.
The blowback to intervention in this region is fraught with unintended consequences.
Remove a dictator and you're going to get a civil war.
Well, in Syria. There already is a civil war.
What does one do about that?
Unlike the folks who live in the ME, I do not see disagreement on these issues as a threat.
And I agree with your assessment, regardless.
On edit: almost forgot.
Exit stage left. Heavens to murgatroyd!
