re: #9 sliv_the_eli

T]he United States … accelerate efforts to vet, train, and arm moderate elements of Syria’s armed opposition, with the goal of empowering them to prevail against both the Assad regime and the growing presence of Al Qaeda-affiliated and other extremist rebel factions in the country. (Emphasis added)

I assume you weren’t around during the start of the Viet Nam war, where at the beginning all we were going to do was send in “advisers” who would assist and train the South Vietnamese, while having no combat role whatsoever.

As you may know, it didn’t work out that way.