Trying to keep up with news about Syria - CIVITAS-STL

Trying to keep up with news about Syria

Current conflicts are not easy to understand. The struggle within Syria, and the possible conflict between Syria and other countries including the United States, is so difficult to figure out that Republicans and Democrats are moving both apart and together in ways not recently seen.  It is very difficult for both the international community and America’s domestic body politic to figure out what to do about Syria.

One method by which strategists try to do it is by using game theory.  This is a technique by which the variables at play are assigned a mathematical probability of occurring.  It’s like a tree with branches.  For example, what is the likelihood that the U.S. will have a cruise missile strike on Syria?  Then, what is the probability that such a strike would come with Congress approval?  What is the likelihood of Syria retaliating against Israel?  What is the likelihood of Israel then striking Iran’s nuclear facilities?  None of these is easy to answer.  But here are a couple of additional questions to think about.  Do schools get a pass on covering current issues like this because they are engaged in a “higher mission” — that of educating our students? Do students get a pass because it’s not yet their problem?”  You can share your thoughts with us on this by clicking here.