Syriana follows several people from various sides of middle-eastern conflict and business. It delves in to the intricacies and confusion that mires international involvement with the area. Between the desire to develop the society, to export their oil and dealing with religious extremists, Syriana shows that often time external players often contradict individuals working toward same goals. The movie is often confusing, it helps to watch it with that in mind. The situation in the middle east is extremely complex, extremely confusing, and often time contradictory, and this movie makes no attempt to sum it all up in two hours. Rather it attempts simply to show you that you can't understand it in two hours, it attempts to show the emotions and desires of the players while letting your unconscious fill in the details as it seems fit.