Another journalistic scoop for Neil MacFarquhar: he managed to interview 80,000 Syrian conscripts

"Of the 80,000 young men expected to show up for their mandatory military service this year — most of them Sunnis — experts said that virtually none have responded."  How on earth anyone would know, and who is the brilliant expert or experts who would know? I mean, the only way to know is to interview all 80,000 people.  But I am sure that the special skills of Mr. MacFarquhar would allow him to do that.  If anyone can do it, it is Mr. Neil, damn it.