Eight years ago this month, Obeid Kaifo visited Aleppo for the first time. “I’m Muslim, and had forgotten it was Christmastime. I was walking down the street late at night – there’s a huge night life there – and suddenly I saw green and red lights everywhere,” he says.

Kaifo was born in the US, to parents who had immigrated from the city that’s now under siege. He had grown up with so many stories about his homeland, including about the peaceful coexistence of Muslim and Christian communities. But it wasn’t until his first trip to Syria, when he was 18 and saw those Christmas lights in downtown Aleppo, that he grasped just how “natural and integrated” those traditions are in the ancient city. “It was a vibrant religious pride from the Christians, and it was so enlightening to see,” he says.

At the time, he would never have suspected it would be his last time seeing the city – the last time before much of it was destroyed by shelling, anyway.

The Overland High School graduate returned to his home city of Denver and took up the busy life of a young man working his way through college, with a full load of pre-med courses.

Then, the Syrian civil war started. Kaifo’s schedule suddenly got much busier – because he felt called to speak out, to raise awareness about the refugee crisis the conflict created, and about the violence against civilians.

Here in Colorado, much of it fell on deaf ears. “Until recently, people weren’t really that interested,” he says, “Many of them didn’t know what to have an opinion about, so it was hard to keep them focused.”

Meanwhile, the conflict killed Kaifo’s grandfather and two of his uncles.

It was only this month, as government forces closed in on, then claimed to take control of Aleppo, that suddenly everyone was listening to Kaifo. He was featured on Colorado Public Radio and on Kyle Clark’s Next, speaking about the slaughter of innocents at the hands of government troops. And he has even been publishing op-eds in The Hill, the latest placing blame for a possible “genocide” in Aleppo squarely on President Obama.

Kaifo appreciates the attention to his cause, but he’s quick to point out that he’s been saying the same things since the war started.

For Kaifo, the years of activism have been exhausting and frustrating – but they have given him time to mature. “At first, I thought grassroots rallies were the way to go,” he says, “But now, I can organize a press conference on the steps of the Capitol in under a day, with five state senators on camera.”

He’s learned what strategies are most effective, and he’s also learned to tap into his own networks. Working at his parents’ restaurant gives him unique access to people in power –  the Shish Kabob Grill is just across from the Capitol building, and he’s become friends with many politicians and lobbyists who pop in for lunch. But it’s only recently, he says, that he “finally” let go of his pride and “learned to ask them for help.”

The tragedy of war has opened up a new world of possibilities to Kaifo, and his interest in politics and activism may be eclipsing his interest in medicine. “For now, I’m still in limbo.. I might still apply to medical school, but I’m not sure where I’d be best utilized,” he says.

Hearing the passion in Kaifo’s voice, as he talks about Syria and also about issues closer to home, there’s an obvious question – is he interested in running for office?

Kaifo says “lots of people” have been pushing him to do so, “but my only hesitation comes from the obvious fact that I’m Muslim, Arab and Middle Eastern, with a funny name.” The 26 year-old says that, despite these differences, he’s gaining confidence. And that he has a vision for what’s needed in the U.S.: “Our country is so polarized, I’ve seen this in Syria. It’s very important to stay on track, to stay united. We have to remember that we are all Americans.”