[cm2187]

I would say ethnic hatred is the primary factor. As it is in the middle east. The violence in Syria has more to do with hostility between Shia and Sunnis than oil. Oil is only making things worse because it gives the means to be really nasty.

[lotux]

I bet you don't know much about shia and sunni, essentially there is not much difference, this war is more of interest war than religious war. I would say Syria war is oil/gas pipeline war. and who can have more hegemony over the region when US becomes weaker and less interested in this region's OIL. that's why you see EU countries are much in hurry to get into this conflict, even Germany is in now.