[wheels]

The tricky thing is probably going to be that I expect the German embassy in Syria is totally swamped. If you can get a visitors' visa for Germany, it would probably be easier to apply for it in person here.

When applying in Germany, if everything goes well, you can get a Blue Card with two trips to the foreigners' office -- one to apply and another to pick it up a few weeks later.

Presumably you'd be able to get the visa to seek work pending a Blue Card with a single visit to the foreigners' office.

Salaries are much lower than the US in Berlin, where the range is roughly €35k-75k. With your experience I'd expect you to be in the €40-55k range here.

[level09]

The Germain embassy in Syria has closed long time ago. the closest alternative now to seek the German embassy in Beirut (Lebanon) or Dubai (UAE)

in Beirut, it is extremely difficult if not impossible, the media reported cases where they hit people with a whip on borders: http://bit.ly/17ohTMP

for Dubai you chances are either:

1. a visit visa (need a good job and a letter from your employer)

2. Student visa (need around 8000 Euros in a German bank account - no bank will give you that, especially from outside germany)