[grania]

I'm trying to figure how the sides will evolve. Iran, Syria, the Kurds vs a Saudi-Turkey coalition that seems okay with ISIS existing outside their own territory? Where does Egypt fall? They seem to support Saudi now, but have a battle against ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood.

This is where I'm confused. There's the ISIS-beheaders vs the more traditional terrorists. Wouldn't it make more sense if they all just got it together and fought ISIS, Boka Haran and AlQaida?

[dfwgator]

Let ‘em all kill each other and let Allah sort it out.

[jjotto]

Try understanding European history in the last 250 years by only looking at the context of various Christian sects. And Europe doesn’t even have real tribal wars like Middle Eastern Muslims. There are other factors beside religion.

[EBH]

No offense meant, but that is not exactly how the story goes. The chaos maker has pretty much done his job. Next on the scene will be the Mahdi, who will unite these warring factions.

Then the end will come.

[gleeaikin]

One problem is that Egypt is receiving quite a lot of aid from Russia, but is hosting the Arab meeting. Of course, they also get aid from the US. Also, remember they attacked Libyan terrorists who beheaded Egyptian Christian laborers in Libya. They may want to get rid of the bit players, but national and religious sentiment will also have a strong influence on alliances and antipathies.