More than 100,000 people have been killed and nearly a quarter of Syria’s population has been displaced since the uprising against President Bashar al Assad began in March 2011.
While the Obama administration up until this point has largely avoided any direct involvement in the conflict, the administration claims an August 21 chemical weapons attack that left 1400 civilians dead was the work of Assad’s forces. Calling the use of chemical weapons “a red line," President Obama has asked for Congressional approval for a U.S. military strike.
Mohammed Ayoob is a Michigan State University distinguished professor emeritus of international relations and the author of the upcoming book “Will the Middle East Implode?” which comes out in February. He breaks down the complexities of the situation in Syria.