It has been a political tradition since the Vietnam War that veterans & active duty antiwar soldiers lead off all antiwar protests in recognition of the unique role they play & their moral authority in opposing war. It was Assadists who corrupted the movement so that now “retired” CIA, FBI, State Department, Pentagon, & military officials (who admit they collaborate with operatives in their former agencies) now lead the antiwar movement. That would explain its complete capitulation to Syrian & Russian militarism.