So, as some of you already know (because you've followed me back), I've been linking up things on Blue Sky. I'm wondering if people are willing to put "Buffista" in their profile to help find each other there?
Anyway, I'm mentioning this because it is a bit like Old School Twitter there because I'm following the Syrian rebels advance and (it looks like) the imminent fall of Assad's regime. Which is bad for Russia (as they would be cut off from their last few warm water ports).
It's all hardcore Realpolitik as the Syrian rebels are not somebody we'd normally be rooting for, except it's an important check on Russia and Iran, and Assad is terrible.
One poster did a rundown of what they called "The War In The Levant" and it was useful to see that angle with multiple World Powers using various cat's paws in the exciting human game of World Domination. (cue Carl Sagan's "Small Blue Marble" for perspective).
My point is not to advocate for anything in particular here, but the value of jumping in to Blue Sky and getting a variety of viewpoints (Ukrainians, Syrians, Israelis, political reporters, historians et al). I already have a broader scope of understanding than I did.
Which is helpful for somebody who still does not really understand Sunni vs. Shia conflicts in the Mideast.