The history in that part of the world is a mess, and so are events of the last week. Any thinking person understands that there is a lot of blame to go around on both sides in that conflict, and that a lot of innocent people on both sides are paying the price for the pig-headedness of others.

Which means that I've been losing a lot of respect for people I formerly thought were fair-minded and reasonable, as they latch on entirely to one side or the other. We've already seen at least some false accounts of atrocities that didn't happen. It's also difficult to credit claims of attacks on civilians in an environment where virtually everyone on one side of the conflict has served, is serving, or is expected to serve in their military. If they have already obliterated the distinction between civilian and military, can their opposition be faulted for failing to honor such distinctions? Especially when they have generations of civilians who have been under constant attack their whole lives?

Even so I deplore attacks on children and on those who have tried to treat others decently, and of course would prefer that all those of good will on both sides could live their lives in peace.