re: How would arming rebels in Syria have stopped ISIS?

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If "moderate" rebel groups made up a majority of the rebels in the beginning of the war, before hardline islamists poured in from outside Syria, and we had armed them early and sufficiently, perhaps they could have defeated Assad and competing rebels. I have no idea if this was possible, but as it wasn't seriously attempted, one can't simply dismiss it.

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I can't dismiss it, but someone can't claim that it was a mistake to not have. Especially when it is stated as a matter of fact.

The United States doesn't have a good track record of picking the "moderates" out of the litter.