Note to Students:  There is a lot of information here.  Don't get discouraged!  To help you understand more about what is happening in Syria, read information under the "Background" below BEFORE answering the questions.

1.  Identify the following people mentioned in the article:
a)  Bashar al-Assad
b)  Riad al-Asaad
c)  Nabil Elaraby

2.  a) What is the Arab League?
b)  What is the Free Syrian Army?

3.  a) What has Riad al-Asaad said about the Arab Leagues's mission in Syria?
b)  What has Mr. al-Asaad called on the Arab League and the United Nations/international community to do?

4.  What requirements did the Syrian government fail to fulfill under the Arab League's peace plan it had agreed to in November 2011?

5.  a) How involved do you think the international community should be in protecting the citizens of Syria from their president and his army?
b)  How involved do you think the United States should be in protecting the citizens of Syria from their president and his army?