Examining the Crisis in Syria

Over the past three years, popular political protests in Syria led to mass state repression and the country's descent into a devastating civil war. Over 190,000 people have been killed, countless more injured, and entire towns demolished. Nearly half of Syria's 22 million people had fled their homes, either as refugees or internally displaced persons. The human cost of this conflict is extraordinary and the world's great powers remain divided on coordinated international action, even as the situation has expanded to become a major regional conflict. For some time, public U.S. debate and discussion on the Syrian crisis has been limited and presented in a binary fashion, as a choice between robust military action or marked disengagement. Then, in mid-2014, as the conflict significantly impacted Iraqi national security, the U.S. and a collection of allies began a series of focused military activities. The situation remains uncertain and there is a lack of consensus regarding U.S. policy objectives and strategy regarding the crisis in Syria. This conference brings together experts on international law, the documentation of atrocities in Syria, reporting on the conflict, engaging social media, assessing the humanitarian and psychosocial impact of the war, and imagining more comprehensive solutions. Part 1 of 5 - 'Atrocities, International Law, and Accountability' featuring Daniel Rothenberg, Arizona State University; Megan Price, Human Rights Data Analysis Group; David Crane, Syracuse University School of Law; Jennifer Daskal, American University; George Sabra, Syrian Democratic People's Party and the Syrian National Council.