Meaning: The quote by Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, provides an insightful perspective on the nature of warfare and the limited understanding that comes from analyzing conflicts solely through a materialistic lens. In the quote, al-Assad suggests that when we approach war from a materialistic standpoint, focusing on questions of when it will end and who will emerge as the victor or the vanquished, we fail to grasp the broader implications and complexities of the conflict. This perspective invites us to consider the deeper, long-term consequences of war, as well as the human, social, and political dimensions that extend beyond the material outcomes.

From a materialistic standpoint, war is often viewed as a means to achieve tangible gains or losses, such as territory, resources, or power. This perspective tends to reduce the multifaceted nature of conflicts to a simplistic narrative of winners and losers, obscuring the profound human suffering, displacement, and societal ruptures that accompany armed confrontations. By emphasizing the "endgame," al-Assad encourages us to look beyond the immediate material outcomes of war and consider the enduring impact on individuals, communities, and nations.

Furthermore, al-Assad's assertion challenges the notion that wars can be neatly categorized as decisive victories or defeats. In many conflicts, the outcomes are far more complex, with long-term repercussions that transcend the immediate cessation of hostilities. This long-term perspective prompts us to consider the enduring legacies of war, including the psychological trauma, political instability, and social dislocation that can persist long after the guns fall silent.

The quote also suggests a critique of the reductionist tendency in approaching conflicts, urging us to move beyond the narrow focus on material gains and losses and instead consider the underlying causes, historical contexts, and complex dynamics that fuel and perpetuate wars. By doing so, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to conflict and work towards addressing them in a more holistic manner.

Al-Assad's perspective aligns with a broader discourse on the limitations of materialistic analyses of war and conflict. It echoes the sentiments of scholars and thinkers who advocate for a more nuanced understanding of warfare, one that recognizes the human, ethical, and moral dimensions that are often obscured in traditional realist or materialist frameworks.

In conclusion, Bashar al-Assad's quote offers a thought-provoking reflection on the need to transcend materialistic analyses of war and conflict. By emphasizing the importance of considering the endgame and looking beyond narrow conceptions of victory and defeat, al-Assad challenges us to adopt a more comprehensive and holistic approach to understanding and addressing the profound complexities of armed confrontations. This perspective invites us to consider the enduring human, social, and political implications of war, and encourages a deeper reflection on the underlying causes and consequences of armed conflict.