The conflicts in Syria have increased the complexity of the Middle East and exacerbated the instability in the region. Terrorists have taken advantage of the instability, and have made dramatic territorial gains in Syria and Iraq. They now threaten two minorities — Kurds and Druze. The Kurds, who are non-Muslims, are starting to receive military aid from the U.S., and this should be increased since they are trustworthy and reliable fighters willing to take on ISIS and other terrorist groups. We should send equipment and supplies directly to the Kurds and not through the Iraqi Army. The Druze minority, a Muslim off-shoot sect, is threatened by ISIS and al-Nusra. There are 800,000 Druze in Syria with most of them living in the southern province of Sweida, which is near the Israeli border. Israel, which is home to 125,000 Druze who are deeply assimilated into the Israeli military and Israeli society, cannot allow the Druze of southern Syria to be decimated and possibly suffer genocide. Israel should provide a safe Syrian territory for the Druze and equip them so they can defend themselves. If necessary, Israel should provide direct military intervention to protect the Druze of Southern Syria.

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