Patrick Martin compares the motivation and the role played by Islamic fighters in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq and now Syria with support from various external countries:
Fred Caplan explains in more depth the role played by the CIA to ensure that only the "right" rebels get the weapons but it is a risky business:
Jonathan Freedland reminds us that if Assad falls it could mark the end of an "entire political culture" but there will be a heavy and messy price to pay:
