1. Conflict in Syria What is going on??

2. Where is Syria?

3. About Syria Syria is a nation of about 21 million people -- roughly 2 million more than the population of New York state. The nation is about the same size as Washington state and slightly larger than North Dakota.

4. Syria is run by the minority sect known as Alawites, which make up 11.8 percent of the population.

5. About the Government Syria is currently led by a man named Bashar al-Assad, who assumed leadership in 2000 by a “non-democratic” vote

6. Civil War Era (March 5, 2011 – Present) Before the Civil War, Syria had a diverse economy agriculture (22 percent of the economy), industry and excavation (25 percent), retail (23 percent) and tourism (12 percent). Peaceful protests began over human rights violations, religious oppression, and government corruption

7. Civil War Continued President Assad used the military to fire on the protesters, starting open rebellion The Free Syrian Army was formed to counter the government attacks As the war continued, the government started attacking its own people, including supporters, with weapons (including chemical) and famine

8. Pictures of the War

10. The Numbers Currently, the UN estimates over 100,000 people have died during the course of the civil war An estimates 6.2 million people have been forced to flee or lost their homes The Syrian Observatory for Human rights says 40,146 civilizations have been killed, including more than 4,000 women and more than 5,800 children.

11. Why does the US care? There is significant evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons on its own people Chemical Weapons are internationally banned, and considered a “red line” in warfare Because of the location and influence of Syria on the Middle East, the US government is afraid rebel groups like the Taliban will acquire the chemical weapons and use them against us

12. What does the rest of the world think? Great Britain, one of our strongest allies voted against helping the US in a war against Syria. Russia and Iran both support the current president in Syria, and will not tolerant US involvement without a UN decision. France supports US involvement

13. Current Status- Abroad The UN is waiting for the results of their investigation to decide if chemical weapons were used in Syria The UN will be meeting to discuss what to do about Syria ◦ Both President Obama and President Putin (the president of Russia) will be present

14. Current Status- Domestic The United States Congress will be voting on September 9th on whether the US should send military forces into Syria Supporters: ◦ President Obama (D) ◦ Secretary of State John Kerry (D) ◦ Senator John McCain (R) ◦ Nancy Pelosi, minority leader of the House of Representatives (R)

15. Current Status- Domestic Opposition ◦ Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) ◦ Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky (R) ◦ US general public

16. YOU DECIDE You are now members of the United States House of Representatives. Should we go to war with Syria? Why or why not?