The post is interesting for many reasons. One in particular is worth discussing:
I have seen shia militant from very close
Most in the West have absolutely NO IDEA what the difference between Shiite, Sunni, etc sects are. We think they look the same, act the same, adhere to the same general doctrines. Most Westerners are barely aware of a difference, if at all, with no idea which is which. I mention this because it seems there is, indeed, a deep difference between the two causing a great deal of the regional conflict ... and when well-meaning outsiders seek to intervene (yes, got it, not our war, but that's not how we see it) we're likely to take action without regard to the Shiite/Sunni split - which of course doesn't help.
Those of us trying to decide how to respond to the Paris & other attacks are desperately trying to draw a line between the "bad" responsible for such atrocities, vs the "good" we want to protect. We need help drawing that line. Clarifying the difference between Shiite and Sunni would probably help.
And BTW: those who do not make clear which side of the conflict they're on are likely to be assigned a side, much to their dismay.
I have seen shia militant from very close
Most in the West have absolutely NO IDEA what the difference between Shiite, Sunni, etc sects are. We think they look the same, act the same, adhere to the same general doctrines. Most Westerners are barely aware of a difference, if at all, with no idea which is which. I mention this because it seems there is, indeed, a deep difference between the two causing a great deal of the regional conflict ... and when well-meaning outsiders seek to intervene (yes, got it, not our war, but that's not how we see it) we're likely to take action without regard to the Shiite/Sunni split - which of course doesn't help.
Those of us trying to decide how to respond to the Paris & other attacks are desperately trying to draw a line between the "bad" responsible for such atrocities, vs the "good" we want to protect. We need help drawing that line. Clarifying the difference between Shiite and Sunni would probably help.
And BTW: those who do not make clear which side of the conflict they're on are likely to be assigned a side, much to their dismay.