SYRIA CONFLICTSyria BackgroundSyria is a country in Western Asia.The modern Syrian state was established after the first World War as a French mandate. Although, it gained independence just in April 1946, as a parliamentary republic. Its system of government is considered to be non-democratic and Bashar al-Assad has been president since 2000.

What is happening in Syria?A bloody internal conflict is threatening to become a civil war. Syria's government has been trying to suppress a popular uprising since March 2011, employing increasing levels of violence. Now, with a militia mainly drawn from President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect accused of massacres, there are fears the violence could become more sectarian (someone who is not open to dialogue) in nature. According to the UN, thousands have so far been killed.

What sort of country is it?The family of President Assad has been in power since his father, took over in 1970. The country underwent some liberalisation after Assad became president in 2000, but the pace of change soon slowed, if not reversed. Critics are imprisoned, domestic media are tightly controlled, and economic policies often benefit the elite. The country's human rights record is among the worst in the world

Is it ethnically or religiously divided?Syria is a country of 21 million people with a Sunni Muslim majority (74%) and significant minorities of Alawites - the Shia heterodox sect to which Mr Assad belongs - and Christians. Mr Assad promotes a secular identity for the country, but he has concentrated power in the hands of family and other Alawites. Opposition remains strongest among the poorer sections of the majority Sunni community.

Are there social and economic issues?Under the sanctions imposed by the Arab League, United States and European Union, Syria's two most vital sectors, tourism and oil, have ground to a halt in recent months. The IMF says Syria's economy contracted by 2% in 2011, while the value of the Syrian pound has crashed. Unemployment is high and access to basic needs including food, water, electricity, and medical supplies has been interrupted in conflict-affected areas.

When did the trouble start?Pro-democracy protests erupted in March 2011 after the arrest and torture of a group of teenagers who had painted revolutionary slogans on their school's walls in the southern city of Deraa. Security forces opened fire during a march against the arrests, killing four. The next day, the authorities shot at mourners at the victims' funerals, killing another person. People then began demanding the overthrow of Mr Assad.

How did the government react?The Assad regime first reacted with a combination of minor concessions and force. It ended the 48-year-long state of emergency and introduced a new constitution. But the authorities continued to use violence. A UN-mediated ceasefire in April has been violated by both sides. Reports of massacres in the Houla area and village of Qubair have further put the UN peace initiative in jeopardy (=danger).

Will other countries get involved?The international community is desperately trying to find a way to prevent Syria from sliding into civil war. UN Secretary General says there is little evidence Syria has agreed with the peace plan negotiated by UN and Arab, which demands an end to violence. UN has called for stronger international action, but China and Russia oppose sanctions and military intervention.

1. UNITED STATES Military action in Syria Who used the chemical weapons? No one is sure if it was Assad who used the chemical weapons The U.S., France and the UK claim "to have no doubt" that Assad is guilty Syria handed to the UN team purported evidence of not having made the attack and challenged the U.S. to submit their The chemical weapons that in 2003 the U.S. and UK ensured to exist in the arsenals of Saddam Hussein, were never found Email from December of 2012 between two British executives from a military enterprise: Mentioned a proposal: Hire a company to fire chemical weapons in Syria and blame the Assad regime, the plan had the approval of Washington UN: "An attack will be illegal without the approval of the Security Council, because of the opposition from Russia and China.The UK is working with the US and France to draft a UN resolution on the Russian plan for Syria's chemical weapons to be put under international control. The three nations want a timetable, and consequences of failure spelt out.2. RUSSIAIn an opinion piece published by the New York Times, President Vladimir Putin said "a strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism".Mr Putin said he did not "exclude" the possibility of Russia supporting a UN Security Council resolution authorizing force if it was proved "beyond doubt" that Mr Assad used chemical weapons against his own people.3. CHINAChina has joined Russia in blocking resolutions critical of Syria at the UN Security Council. It has also criticized the prospect of strikes against Syria.