Iraq & Syrian Civil Wars - Page 348

On December 04 2015 09:55 ZerglingSoup wrote:
I thought this 5 minute video that popped up on Huffington Post does a good job of summarizing the situation:

https://youtu.be/NKb9GVU8bHE

To me, it makes sense that this is yet another pissing contest between the US and Russia in which good, regular folks in the Middle East are- once again- the pissees.

As long as nobody wins, everybody saves face. You can tell by how all the different states continue bombing/arming different groups just enough to maintain a constant balance of power in the conflict, so that there is never any winner.

On December 04 2015 14:25 MaCRo.gg wrote:
Not saying the below is morally correct or even desirable, only looking at feasibility.

From a military historic view, the current difficulties in the ISIL contested regions have real solutions.

Conscription of Syrian able bodied male refugees to serve as foreign auxiliary force for NATO, similar to usage of nomad tribes to contend with Hun threat by Byzantine Empire would stem the high cost of domestic fighting force. While also providing the refugees with a way to "earn" their integration to the first world societies, it would deter extremists building impetus in the refugee population.

Similar methods were used by the North in the American Civil War with Irish immigrants.
Chinese government also allowed Koreans to hold their provisional government in Manchuria during the Japanese occupation, allowing Koreans to fight for their independence. While never official joining their military ranks, their hit and run tactics severely compromised Japanese ability to march further inland.

If the Syrian refugees desire sanctuary and help in their integration into the first world societies, they should pay an appropriate price for the assistance they receive. Serving the armed forces that are trying to help stabilize their homeland is the least they could do.

On December 04 2015 15:04 KwarK wrote:

Incidentally King Alaric, who sacked Rome, was an auxiliary in the Roman army in the exact capacity you suggest. Maybe arming randoms and training them to fight our battles for us could end poorly.

On December 04 2015 14:25 MaCRo.gg wrote:
Conscription of Syrian able bodied male refugees to serve as foreign auxiliary force for NATO, similar to usage of nomad tribes to contend with Hun threat by Byzantine Empire would stem the high cost of domestic fighting force. While also providing the refugees with a way to "earn" their integration to the first world societies, it would deter extremists building impetus in the refugee population.

On December 04 2015 14:25 MaCRo.gg wrote:
Chinese government also allowed Koreans to hold their provisional government in Manchuria during the Japanese occupation, allowing Koreans to fight for their independence. While never official joining their military ranks, their hit and run tactics severely compromised Japanese ability to march further inland.

On December 04 2015 15:22 MaCRo.gg wrote:


Roman government was in shambles then, Byzantines used nomadic tribes successfully.

On December 04 2015 18:56 maybenexttime wrote:


It's not just during the WWII. Poland has a history of forming armies in exile since the Partitions of Poland (late 18th century).

At the same time, people forming those legions were very patriotic. I am not sure whether Syrian refugees have any such motivation. And arming/training them could backfire similarly to what happened in Afghanistan with the Mujahideen.

On December 04 2015 16:12 Redox wrote:

Arminius who defeated the Romans at Teutoburg when they were at the height of power was also a former Roman soldier.

But seriously this would not be feasible. Because if you employ these guys you are also responsible for what they do. And this will mostly not be compatible with our values etc.

Besides the US already tried this. They build this small force of Syrians where they tried to vet every single one to make sure he has no extremist views and would fight ISIS. They would fly everyone out of Syria for vetting and training. It was extremely costly and in the end they had less than 100 fighters. Once they send these guys into Syria they instantly handed over half of their weapons to extremist rebels because they were too few to stand up to them.

The program is now suspended and considered a huge failure.

On December 04 2015 14:25 MaCRo.gg wrote:
Chinese government also allowed Koreans to hold their provisional government in Manchuria during the Japanese occupation, allowing Koreans to fight for their independence. While never official joining their military ranks, their hit and run tactics severely compromised Japanese ability to march further inland.

On December 04 2015 21:12 Dangermousecatdog wrote:
Are you guys seriously discussing the feasibility of conscription of Syrian able bodied male refugees? With the Byzantine Empire as a comparison point? My mind is blown at the absurdity.

On December 04 2015 21:55 Silvanel wrote:
The funny part is it isnt even close to most absurd things discussed here

On December 07 2015 20:53 DickMcFanny wrote:
Source? Not that I think it's unlikely...