Syria, like other Middle East nations, is an artificial state. It’s made up of a multiplicity of ethnic groups with little in common and a Sunni majority ruled by Alawite Shias. This potent mix is vastly complicated by the arrival of Russian tanks, artillery, and troops. The danger of accidental collision should not be ignored. The Turks, who control the water supply, have their impact. So do the Sunni Kurds and the Jordanians, who are extremely anti-Isis. Oddly, Iran, Hezbollah, and Israel are on the same side on this one–not working together, but sharing strategic objectives. What a mess!