Syrian Conflict: A Simple, Short Video that Explains the Conflict Chronologically

[ElissaDido]

Obviously this is intended for the people who are interested in International Politics.

We talk about this conflict everyday on the News but many of us don't know exactly what's the issue going on , and most people think that this is an ISIS vs Bashar conflict, when in reality it's not.
People also forget that initially there were no violence, and simply peaceful protesters wanting to overthrow Bashar's Dictatorial Regime, but very soon the State started using violence and even kill the soldiers who refused to follow orders and shoot protesters.

Unfortunately the appearance of Isis made everything harder to understand and distinguish and many people are now thinking that Isis= The Rebels, when in fact they're enemies.

Unfortunately this whole blurred situation is making all the sympathy shifted towards Bashar and makes us forget the atrocities and repressive regime that he and his father have put in place.

Coming from a country that used to be a Dictatorship only 5 years ago (Tunisia), I know first hand how it feels like to have "Big Brother" always watching over every single one of your step and speech. When you fear for your life and your family's life for simply saying " I don't like the President", you know that something is wrong and needs to change.

There is a reason why Syria comes right under North Korea in the Democracy Index for having the biggest Authoritarian regimes.

You can agree or disagree with me but I would never support Tyranny no matter what, because I have experienced it, it makes me a big advocate of Democracy, although it might not be "Perfect", so far Democracy respects people's freedom and dignity the most.

[front2back]

There's basically 4 sides to this war:
•The Rebels (backed by Saudi Arabia backed by the USA)
•Assad's Forces (backed by Russia)
•The Kurds (Technically backed by USA & NATO, being bombed by Turkey)
•ISIS (backed by rich Gulf State donors)
Each side I listed is currently fighting all three of the others.
And all the civilians are pretty much caught in the crossfire.

If you think everything is over now because of the ceasefire, just you wait.
This is not going to end for several more years, maybe longer.
•Currently Syria's instability is also causing a lot of instability in the rest of the Middle East. The Kurds want their own homeland, and I can bet you that won't go over well with other nearby countries like Turkey and Iraq. ISIS is just radical Islam taking another form. Don't be surprised if there's more terrorist attacks on Mosques and European countries. You can't kill radical Islam with bombs (but you can by giving Muslim women education and a voice).
•Cold War II has now started between the USA and Russia.
•Iran's government (not its people) are complete assholes and are going to try and bully nearby countries.
•The Gulf States, although Sunni Muslims, are much more extreme than other countries, so don't expect them to stop supporting radial terror groups any time soon.
•Nativism and Anti-Islam thoughts are raising in Europe (and somewhat the US). Don't be surprised if there's more violence from this. Ironically this creates more terrorists.

[Omar5881]

Sunni Muslims are radicals? Reallyyyyy when did you see a sunni kills? Or a group of terrorists calling themselves sunni , sunnis aren't radical Bro , and gulf rulers don't support isis

[front2back]

@Omar5881 not sunni's, but gulf nations take the Sunni religion to the extreme. You misread my sentence, I said ALTHOUGH Gulf States are Sunnis (implying they shouldn't be exteremist because of that), they take it to the extreme. You can be a Sunni or a Shiite and be an extremist.

And maybe the rulers don't support ISIS, but it has been discovered that rich donors WITHIN the Gulf states have been trafficking money to ISIS, sort of how Turkey has been, intentional or not, buying ISIS oil.

[Omar5881]

Ahhhhh sorry lol , and yeah rich people in the gulf but nit really the actual rules

[vishna]

It's terrible how many innocent men, women, and children have suffered for things they have no hand in.

[Homebakedcookies]

But you have a hand in this. Vote for a better president next time. One who doesn't get paid to invade other countries.

[vishna]

@Homebakedcookies I think politics corrupts even the best of them. But yes, I do have a special candidate in mind.

[TwistedLogic]

I don't think anybody is forgetting the cruel acts of violence and extreme levels of oppression the Syrian regime exercises on the Syrian people. It is just that there is a fatal cultural error running through the middle east; it is the dream of having Islam rule over the world. There are many people in the Arab world who have adopted secular principles (Tunisia is a good example of that I think), however, these people are usually educated and they have moral standards, thus you don't find them engaging in any battles or crimes, simply because it is against their nature.

People blame ISIS for hijacking the Syrian revolution, but quite frankly, the revolution was Islam-ized since the onset of the revolution. The so called "Free Syrian Army" was constantly yelling "Allah Akbar" and calling the dead people martyrs and dreaming of reinstating the country under Islamic rule like 'the good old times'. It was sad and painful to watch. I have been to Syria once and it was a beautiful place, full of culture and nice people. There was a theme of tolerance and diversity that I only saw in Tunisia, Morocco and Lebanon, out of the Arab countries I visited. Say what you want, but replacing an oppressive dictatorship with a medieval style of government is not something I can back.

This isn't a rant against the religion I promise; it is a rant against religion ruling over people and forcing them to live their lives in a certain way. You can have your faith, but you should keep it to yourself. Religions are too outdated and incompatible with our dynamically evolving social needs. It is pretty sad what is happening in Syria, Egypt, Libya, and Iraq.. Those countries were home to many great artists and philosophers. However, they were unlucky to have been ruled by force throughout history and when a chance for change presents itself, those religious fanatics take over to create another oppressive dictatorship, only this time it works on their side. Really REALLY sad.. : (

On the bright side, I think the wheel of change had begun turning, and if history had taught us anything, it is that once an idea is born, it never dies. So, in 50 to 80 years time, I am certain that these countries will be in a much better place than they ever were.

[Goldenn-Rose]

If the people want to live under Islamic law, what's the problem? Isn't that what democracy states?

[TwistedLogic]

@Goldenn-Rose You are absolutely right, but there is something missing here in my opinion. There are two things I am factoring in: 1) I don't think the overwhelming majority of Syrians want Islamic law, just the ones who are vocal and violent enough do (I could be wrong about this though). More importantly 2) Islamic rule usually means killing those who oppose it, like the supporters of the current government, and then anyone who dares to criticize or question the ruling system and its greatness later on. Not so much of a democracy then, I don't think.

[Goldenn-Rose]

Islamic law doesn't mean killing those who critisize or question it.
Those who call for Islamic law today call for authentic Islamic law, taken from its sources.

None of the dictators in Muslim-majority countries today apply pure Islamic law; a few countries apply certain elements that suit them but the rest is based on their own whims and desires.

[TwistedLogic]

@Goldenn-Rose Well, I have to disagree on that. The prophet and his followers did kill those who didn't like Islam. It is clearly stated in many Islamic writings and wildly agreed upon among Islamic scholars that criticism to Islam, its prophet, Islamic ideas or leaving the religion is to be punished by death.

Many modern Muslims sort of disagree with this, but they still cannot reject the texts and the stories. So, they just avoid these stories and promote things like 'Islam is a religion of peace' and other claims instead (which is a good thing, if you ask me). I do believe many of them truly don't want to kill those who oppose Islam or criticize it, but unfortunately those people never end up in power, nor do they have a loud voice in their communities.

I just think religion ruling is a bad idea. Even if it was the religion of roses and butterflies, it still means that those who don't follow (or hate) that religion will have to live under its rule... and that's UNFAIR.

[Goldenn-Rose]

And imposing capitalism is fair? There will always be people who disagree with any system.

Let those who want an Islamic state have an Islamic state. The Iraqis and Syrians who don't like it can go and live in the West, while the Muslims in the West that are calling for an Islamic State (and filling up prisons) can all go over there. How's that for an exchange?

Could you provide me with evidence that the Prophet and his followers killed those who didn't like Islam?

[TwistedLogic]

@Goldenn-Rose I understand where you are coming from, but I don't think an economical system is comparable to a religion. Religions dictate everything in your life; they tell you how to eat, how to drink and how to breathe. In any way, just because I oppose a religious state doesn't mean I support Western ideologies and governments. Trust me, I am aware that secular societies have a lot problems and injustices, but they are open to change, if not founded upon the motion of change. Having an outdated dogma rule millions without ever accepting any change or criticism is a whole different story.

As to your second point, I think it is a simplistic way of looking at things. Those people were born and raised there; they call that place home and they have no intention to relocate (some of them actually hate Western culture). They have the right to reject Islamic rule and live their lives the way they desire.

[TwistedLogic]

@Goldenn-Rose As for the proof, you should read up on Early Muslim Conquests, Islam and War, the Prophet's military career, Islamic military laws, etc... I am not really interested in criticizing the content of any religion, as I disagree with the entire premise of having a religion. It is, however, well-known and agreed upon that "the beginnings of Jihad are traced back to the words and actions of Muhammad and the Quran'".

Again, even if that weren't true, and even if Islam was the religion of unicorns and rainbows, that doesn't change a thing. The fundamental problem is... a dogma (by definition) refuses to be questioned and therefore refuses to change. This to me is ludicrous.

Last, but not least... Just so you know, this isn't a debate.. It is merely an exchange of viewpoints... I respect your views and completely understand where you are coming from and don't intend to change your mind.. : )

I am skeptical about everything including my own thoughts and opinions, so yeah.. =/

[QuestionMan]

I recall seeing the Vox propaganda piece. I will take Assad over the FSA and Daesh any day. He's not perfect but under him people were and are able to live in a secular society. Territory under his control in the safest in Syria. Many FSA members have come back to Assad's army and were pardoned for their crimes.

Syria is not Tunisia or any other country. It is a unique case. Reforms are gradually being made in Syria with the right to vote being granted a few years ago. Political parties are now present and a move to democracy is slowly picking up speed but it cannot exist in a state of war.

If the rebels would agree to be a part of a coalition transitional government as Assad has offered many times, this war would be over. Alas, the FSA would much rather ally themselves with Daesh because they both hate Assad.

As for the Kurds, let them have their own country they've earned it.

[Goldenn-Rose]

.. And we meet again.

Forcing feminism on them isn't enough, you also want to force secularism on them?
What if the people want to live under Islamic law? The Syrian people are the ones who took to the streets and asked for it. Isn't that the essence of democracy?

And what have the Kurds done to "earn" a country? Why can't different ethnic groups live together? Or is this part of the "divide them to rule over them" plan?

[2bv-2b]

@Goldenn-Rose 👍

[QuestionMan]

@Goldenn-Rose Do you know what secularism is?
It means you get to practice your religion in private and the state doesn't interfere. The state has rules that are separate from religion. This way no one religion dominates and everyone can believe in whatever they want.

A secular dictator kept balance in the region. Allowing any one religion power leads to groups like Daesh and your favourite Wahabi country of Saudi Arabia.

As for feminism, by holding back half the population you are holding back all of society. Why am I telling you this? You're a woman how can you be against women's rights?

As for the Kurds, they are not Syrian. They have fought for independence for a long time and now after showing that they not only are an effective fighting force against Daesh but also share our LIBERAL values would make a great country.

[Goldenn-Rose]

But if a group of people want to live under Islamic law, what is the problem? Is that not the essence of democracy?

And what is the point of "balance" if it is to maintain oppression? Syria is full of political prisoners, being tortured in silence. Even secular democrats were trying to speak out against that for decades, under both his rule and his father Hafez al-AssHead's rule. Remember the Hama massacre, for example.

You claim to support democracy, yet Bashar wasn't democratically elected.

Saudi Arabia is by no means a good example; if I could eleminiate the entire Saudi royal family right now, I would. But definitely not in the name of feminism.

I'm not against women's rights. The question is WHICH rights? I believe that Saudi women should be given the right to drive, for example.

[Goldenn-Rose]

Syrians aren't an ethnic group; it's a nationality that was invented by the collonial West dividing bits of land and drawing lines on maps. I don't recall them specifying that Syrians are exclusively Arab. Why do you want to divide the Middle East even more and increase racial tensions? Do you also want to create a Yezidistan a Druzistan a Assyristan, etc?

The majority of Kurds fighting are women. I don't see how that would make a great country. Or is this all part of a feminist plan to eradicate masculinity from the world?

[Metlahaed]

I completely agree with you on this one, and people seem to undermine the role that religion plays in all of this.

[QuestionMan]

@Goldenn-Rose Well you're from the UK if I'm not mistaken. You have Sharia courts, how is that working out for you? Not great last I checked. People are being forced to live in the dark ages.

Assad was not elected that is true and he will need to leave after the transitional government holds elections. This is undeniable he left mark on Syria but that doesn't mean he can't be part of the solution. As I stated before he has instituted reforms but they can't all be fully implemented in a state of war.

Women should have the same rights as men and vice versa. It's simple. To deny any group rights is to advocate for a dystopian society.

It's up to the people of that region if they want independence. If they do let them.

Also it's not just women fighting in Kurdish forces, they're the minority. They're just very popular because Daesh militants think if they're killed by a woman they can't go to heaven.

[QuestionMan]

@Goldenn-Rose Eradicate masculinity? Are you high?
What's wrong with equal rights?
A woman can wear pants, hold a job, run for office, drive and do most things men can.

If you want to wear a niqab, and live in the kitchen then I suggest you seek treatment for Stockholm syndrome.

[QuestionMan]

@Metlahaed Thanks. A lot of it has to do with false interpretations of Islam and Saudi and Iranian desire for power.

[Goldenn-Rose]

Lol, the UK is definitely not ruled by Sharia law, and the few Sharia courts scattered around the country don't have permission to cut hands off theives or anything like that; they just deal with minor issues like marriage and divorce.

How can the problem be part of the solution? The Syrian people started protesting as part of the Arab spring in the hope of getting rid of their dictator just like Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen. Bashar started using chemical weapons against them. Could you state one good thing that Bashar has done? No-one likes him except the Shia; not even secular democrats, as even they are imprisoned for speaking out against him.

If that's what you believe in, then great, there are millions of people who think just like you, hence the West where feminism prevails. However there are people who don't think like you, so why not allow them to exist in what suits them best. What you view to be a dystopian society, others view to be a perfect society, and vice versa.

[Goldenn-Rose]

We should be breaking down borders not creating more. That is what would fix the world.
Would you support independance for Chechnya, for example?

Lol, what's this about if they're killed by a woman they won't go to heaven? Do you have evidence for that?

[Goldenn-Rose]

You say "Women should have the same rights as men and vice versa" and then you say "A woman can wear pants, hold a job, run for office, drive and do most things men can".
Why didn't you say "do EVERYTHING men can" if you believe that they are equal and should have the same rights?

I'd rather spend much more time in the bedroom than in the kitchen, and, yes, that's how most niqaabis live. Contrary to these "liberated" women who have men that don't even know how to fuck them. I'm don't wear a niqaab, I don't feel the need to wear one, but I know plenty of women who do. Medical students, teachers, writers, nurses.. I even know one that rides a motorcycle to work.

[QuestionMan]

@Goldenn-Rose Here's a link to Daesh killed by women don't go to heaven
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../...d-Kurdish-fighters.html

Chechnya is more complex than that. In the 1990s during the First Chechen war yes I would've supported them gaining independence. Now no, there are way too many Islamist radicals there.

You know what I meant don't get caught up in semantics. I simply provided examples. Women can do most things men can.

Again with the "men don't know how to fuck me". Get an alpha male to dominate you.

[Metlahaed]

@Goldenn-Rose Nothing is more fucked up in this world than sharia law and the perverse mentality of the people who believe it is anything close to right or moral. So sad, SO sad.

[Goldenn-Rose]

Lol, that's just the Kurds saying that ISIS believes that. Not ISIS themselves saying it.

Can women do most things men can or everything men can?
If not everything, then why should they have the same rights?
It's an important point that changes everything; it's not a question of semantics.

No-one's forcing you to live under Sharia law. If they want to, on another continent, how does that bother you?

[QuestionMan]

@Goldenn-Rose The reason I said most and not all is because somethings women are not as good at as men are. For example serving in the special forces. Women in the US have not been able to meet the requirements that are met by men which would make it risky to send them into combat.

Legally speaking, women should have the same rights as men.

"It's just the Kurds saying that"
And yet Daesh doesn't have any female soldiers, and keeps women wrapped up in niqabs out of fear of their sexuality. Women who tried to flee were killed.

Sharia law is a threat to all in the region. Especially those who are forced to comply. Killing gays, abusing women, cutting off hands, death for fornication and adultery and many more cruel acts are committed in the name of Sharia.

[Goldenn-Rose]

You just said that women aren't as good as men in serving in the special forces; explaining why "Daesh" doesn't have any female soldiers.

Those who choose to live under Sharia law should be made aware of everything it includes. Homosexuals can enjoy their freedom in the West; they have a large selection of countries they can live in.

How is abusing women part of Sharia law?

As for cutting hands off theives - in the UK, all over the country, every winter homeless people steal so that they can go to prison and get a warm bed, hot food three times a day, access to a shower, and television. How is prison a deterrent for theft?

[Metlahaed]

This girl is retarded, don't waste anymore of your breath. It is obvious religion has corrupted her sick mind beyond repair.

[QuestionMan]

@Goldenn-Rose Special forces is radically different from regular military. Anyone with proper training can get into the military while special forces requires the best of the best. Do you know who joins Daesh? It's not the best of the best it's losers who can't get laid so they use their new found power to rape and abuse women.

So gays should leave for the West? What about the ones who can't leave because they don't have the means? The ones that get stoned to death publicly.

Every religion puts women beneath men you must know that.

So lets cut peoples hands off instead of addressing the issue of homelessness? Are you mad?
These people need help and out of desperation steal food. Then they're sent to prison where they're gang rapped.
What kind of a twisted piece of shit are you?

[QuestionMan]

@Metlahaed People like her need to be called out otherwise they become dangerous.
Just look at Hitler, I'm sure people thought that he was just some lunatic that should be ignored but then he started large rallies, gaining lots of support and became unstoppable in the sense that no German could remove him from power.

[Goldenn-Rose]

Hahahaha, you think that I may become as powerful as Hitler? Wow, I'm flattered.

And, yes, every healthy heterosexual woman wants to be beneath men. It's called missionary 😂

[Goldenn-Rose]

No, cutting people's hands off is a deterrent for theft. Homelessness is a separate issue that wouls be addressed under Sharia law, primarily by eradicating capitalism, and also with Zakat, where everyone must donate 2.5% of their wealth.

[QuestionMan]

@Goldenn-Rose All it takes is for the wrong person to receive a lot of support. Anyone can be like Hitler if there's an audience willing to listen to their propaganda. That is why it is the responsibility of people like myself to prevent these people from being unchallenged and spreading their propaganda.

I know what missionary is. If you're dating pussy men then it's your own fault for not looking for alphas. Or maybe you're just not attractive enough for the men you want to want you back.

Oh so you're a communist too now wow. Harsh punishments don't deter criminals, they simply create a smarter criminal that will try to avoid getting caught.
We already pay taxes they're just being wasted by dumbass politicians.

[JRICHARDS1996]

This is when I would have to respectfully disagree because even though Bashar Assad and his regime is notoriously oppressive toward the Syrian people, I still believe that it is a better alternative than the rebels and/or whatever "democracy" could come out of a revolution. The reason being that Assad at least maintains law and order. His rule ensures stability. His methodology may not be ideal, but in light of the circumstances it may be necessary. Democracy cannot be forced upon a nation before it is ready. It has to come organically from the bottom up. And I do not believe that Syria or for that matter many Middle Eastern countries are ready for it yet. In fact, how many of the recent Arab Spring revolutions that were supposed to instate "democracy" only ended up making the nation more oppressive and theocratic than it was in the first place? Essentially this is the same reason why I also supported Saddam Hussein. Look what happened when he was removed: ISIS.

[ElissaDido]

Tunisia had a revolution and initiated the Arab spring, and we have Democracy and freedom of speech now. Why wouldn't Syria be able to do the same? It's wrong to assume that Bashar is the best option out there, because once you gas and bomb thousands of civilians, you have 0 legitimacy to stay in power, not that he had legitimacy in the first place since the only reason why he's president is because of his father who himself came to power through a coup and butchered many of his opponents.

[JRICHARDS1996]

I like Assad because he safeguards the rights of minority groups like Christians, Yazidis, and Shias.

[ElissaDido]

Maybe he does, but he still butchers kids and civilians which is unacceptable no matter what, many other people are also eligible to protect minorities, without killing their own people.

[Goldenn-Rose]

Why do you consider the rights of minorities to be more important than the rights of the majority? 😳

[Goldenn-Rose]

Really? Are you truly satisfied with that dinosaur that just came to power?

I agree with the revolution and how terrible Ben Ali is though..

[JRICHARDS1996]

@Goldenn-Rose Because Christians and Shias are literally facing extinction across the Middle East as we speak. They deserve priority status.

[Goldenn-Rose]

How are Shia facing extinction when both Iraq and Syria are ruled by Shia and Bashar actually has chemical weapons? And they are backed by Putin?

[KHaskins]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RBQ-IoHfimQ

Relevant.

[Homebakedcookies]

It is very relevant. Europe is starting to have the same problems as the Middle east.

[AleDeEurope]

It's a tricky situation due to how many people are involved.
Though I don't like Assad, the world's main focus should be to destroy ISIS due to ISIS not just focusing on Syria like Assad, but on the whole world, as they commit terrorist attacks everywhere.
Our main priority should be to protect our own countries, and right now the main threat is ISIS, not Assad. Once ISIS is gone (if it's ever gone), we then should focus on Assad.

[Ruff2muffs]

I'm so glad that I live in a place where that stuff can just stay over there and not hurt me. The United Nations needs to intervene more instead of America having to try and fix everything.

[MakeShiftThug]

I miss Syria, it was a place I used to call my home. The people were beautiful.

Bashar-al-kelb-ibn-al-himar is a murderous dictator. And the surrounding countries are not helping their own people.

[Goldenn-Rose]

👏👏👏

Thank you.

[Jager66]

This is a very interesting topic and I'm sure it's very nuanced and complex.

The problem is that Vox is about as unbiased reliable as Jezebel or Buzzfeed...

[vekin]

Good take!

I agree democracy isn't perfect but still much better then other options

[John_Doesnt]

I'm sick of people using quotes of the founding father's like they're the word of some holy figure. Just because Ben said it doesn't mean I have to respect it.

[orphan]

i like watching ISIS die

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BmrP_4goUM

[Wulfila]

The Middle East is currently a huge mess, there's no doubt about that. If people think the situation is toxic now, just wait until the theocrats in Iran get a nuclear weapon.

[abundantlyrich]

it does explain why Syria crumpled and couldn't defend itself.

[Goldenn-Rose]

Who are you referring to, the people or the government?

[JamesDylan1990]

I'm from America

I'm just sorta waiting on world war 3
Or

Civil war 2

[TwistedLogic]

That's not something to wish for. War is an ugly thing, my friend.

[JamesDylan1990]

@TwistedLogic not wishing for it just expect it. I'd rather Jesus come back lol

[browny-sy]

Bashar Assad and Iran and Russia and ISIS kill Syrian peapol

[PlayUntillCry]

ALAssad is an asshole he in killing his people by missiles, plans, guns, and chemical weapons !!!

[wxyc423]

interesting i had no idea.

[Omar5881]

Great take 👍