1. What actions has the Syrian government taken in the southern city of Dera'a in response to peaceful protests and calls for President Assad to step down? Be specific.

2. How are European countries and the UN responding to attacks on civilian protesters in Syria?

3. How is the Obama administration responding to the attacks on civilians?

4. How effective do you think Western opposition to President Assad's crackdown on protesters will be? Explain your answer.

5. Bashar Assad's government has cut off electricity, water and phone service in Dera'a (and possibly other cities where protests are taking place). Foreign journalists have been expelled from Syria, and Syrian journalists are not permitted in areas in which the government is cracking down on protesters. Read the information under "Background" below the questions, and watch the news reports under "Resources" below. The Syrian government has said that the military is not firing on unarmed civilians, but cracking down on armed terrorists. What do you think about this claim?