Can someone summarize Syria for me?

[puppydoggie]

What the heck is going on there? i just watched 60 minutes from Sunday and that was PAINFUL to watch.

Is Assad a dictator? What is going on there?

[kaylie]

Assad is a dictator (took over the role from his father, who was a dictator before him) and is trying to squash a rebellion by people who are dissatisfied with his leadership. Tons of issues there as far as employment, access to food, government corruption, etc. People who are of Assad's same religious group get better treatment than those from other groups.

Assad's regime is blaming violence on outside terrorists, but his military is basically killing everyone of the opposing group - women and children included. No dissent is being tolerated. A very prominent journalist was killed there earlier this year after the military targeted the building she was broadcasting from (she stayed after most other journalists were kicked out/evacuated).

The UN was trying to pass a resolution condemning Assad's actions, but China and Russia are both in business with him and basically blocked it. Not that a UN resolution has much power, but it's a very sad, sticky mess and a lot of innocent people are being murdered and tortured in cold blood.

[puppydoggie]

Oct 16, 2012 12:21:36 GMT -5 kaylie said:

Assad is a dictator (took over the role from his father, who was a dictator before him) and is trying to squash a rebellion by people who are dissatisfied with his leadership. Tons of issues there as far as employment, access to food, government corruption, etc. People who are of Assad's same religious group get better treatment than those from other groups.

Assad's regime is blaming violence on outside terrorists, but his military is basically killing everyone of the opposing group - women and children included. No dissent is being tolerated. A very prominent journalist was killed there earlier this year after the military targeted the building she was broadcasting from (she stayed after most other journalists were kicked out/evacuated).

The UN was trying to pass a resolution condemning Assad's actions, but China and Russia are both in business with him and basically blocked it. Not that a UN resolution has much power, but it's a very sad, sticky mess and a lot of innocent people are being murdered and tortured in cold blood.

Thank you for your response.