Trying to get your mind around who the actors are in Syria as this 'frozen conflict' from the last decade begins to thaw?If you are concerned about international jihadist organizations, the security of Israel, instability caused by mass migration, rights of religious minorities in the Middle East, or human suffering, the cascading events in Syria should be in your scan.


Well, this Midrats is just for you. Returning to Midrats for the full hour to give an overview of the different players in the conflict, from the perspective of a US Marine who helped lead the fight in an earlier phase of this long conflict, will be Seth W.B. Folsom.

Seth is a retired Marine Corps colonel who served more than twenty-eight years in uniform. Throughout the Global War on Terror, he deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he commanded in combat at the company, battalion, and task force levels. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Naval Postgraduate School, and the Marine Corps War College, he also is the author of “The Highway War: A Marine Company Commander in Iraq;” “In the Gray Area: A Marine Advisor Team at War;” “Where Youth and Laughter Go: With ‘the Cutting Edge’ in Afghanistan;” and the forthcoming “Nothing Here Worth Dying For: Task Force Lion in Iraq.”

He lives with his family and their needy cat in Southern California.You can listen here or at the Spotify widget below:

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Summary

In this conversation, Sal, Mark, and Seth discuss the complexities of the Syrian conflict, drawing connections to historical events and the role of various actors involved. They explore the implications of the recent developments in Syria, including the potential for humanitarian crises and the influence of external forces. The discussion also touches on military strategies, the significance of ethnic and religious groups, and the challenges faced by the international community in addressing the situation.

Takeaways

  • The Syrian conflict is deeply intertwined with historical and regional complexities.
  • Jihadist groups in Syria present a complicated landscape that defies simple categorization.
  • Comparisons to past conflicts, such as the Afghan Civil War, highlight potential future challenges in Syria.
  • Ethnic and religious divisions in Syria complicate the political landscape and future governance.
  • External actors, including Turkey and Iran, play significant roles in shaping the conflict's outcome.
  • Humanitarian concerns are paramount as the situation in Syria evolves.
  • The international community's response to the crisis will be critical in determining future stability.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to the Syrian Conflict
03:00: Task Force Lion and Its Role in Iraq and Syria
11:09: The Complexity of Syrian Factions
13:48: Comparisons to Historical Conflicts
19:49: The Future of Syria and Regional Implications
30:43: Historical Context and Military Logistics
36:20: The Evolving Threat of ISIS
38:03: Geopolitical Dynamics in the Middle East
44:27: Humanitarian Crisis and International Response
52:34: Reflections on Military Experience and Future Implications

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