Eric See of Peace Action West talks on 'Who's who in Iraq and Syria'

The whirlwind reaped by the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, along with the more recent violence among multiple rebel factions in Syria, the government of President Bashar Assad, and other countries with a so-called "interest" in the outcome, have combined for a volatile situation with no way of knowing that outcome. They have also brought on a tragedy of displaced people trying to survive by finding new surroundings. With peace negotiations stopping almost as quickly as they started, the possibility of a settlement that would ease the suffering seems remote - but is still certainly visible.

On the evening of Monday, February 29, Peace Action of San Mateo County will present a talk to explore the situation in the Middle East in terms of its players, possible solutions and the U.S. role. Our guest speaker will be Eric See, Outreach Director of Peace Action West (his current position in a 20-year tenure at PAW). His talk is entitled "Who's who in Iraq and Syria: an ever-changing story".

Eric will focus on the tangled web that is the Syrian civil war(s), as well as the muddled situation in Iraq. This would include going over the various factions in terms of who wants what, who is whose enemy and who is backing whom. He will review attempts at peacemaking - why they initially failed and how they can be successful. And he will offer thoughts as well as foster discussion on how our country should act in all of this, and the role of us as citizens demanding a solution.

The evening will begin at 7 PM in Beck Hall at the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo, 300 E. Santa Inez Avenue (at Ellsworth - enter on the Ellsworth side) in San Mateo. Admission is free, contributions are welcome. The UUSM is wheelchair accessible.

Come join us on February 29 for a night of information and ideas.

Free, contributions accepted.