1. The Syrian Crisis

2. How Did This Crisis Start? ●The tragedy began in 2011, with an event known as the Arab Spring. Citizens across the Middle East rose up in protest against Arab leaders in order to gain new freedoms. ●President Bashar al-Assad, a brutal dictator, cracked down on these protests. He began killing innocent citizens who opposed him, including children.

3. The War Begins ●Citizens had had enough of President Assad’s regime. Ordinary citizens and some former soldiers began to attack his army in order to overthrow him. ●Then other groups came into Syria and joined the fight. Groups such as ISIS also want to overthrow Assad, but they want to establish a strict Islamic rule, unlike the regular rebels.

4. Who is on What Side? ●The U.S. believes that President Assad is a danger to his people and have taken to arming the Syrian rebels and conducting airstrikes against ISIS. ●Russia believes that President Assad is what’s holding Syria together and his absence will lead to extremism. They have taken to arming Assad’s army and conducting airstrikes against ISIS as well.

5. The Refugee Crisis ●The conflict in Syria has led to the worst refugee crisis in Europe since WWII. Thousands of migrants from all over the Middle East and North Africa have been trying to get to Europe for safety from the violence in these regions. ●These migrants often have to make special accommodations that cost lots of money. The paths these migrants take are dangerous. ●Some have to cross seas in rickety, overcrowded boats that can sink at any time.

7. If They Get to Europe... ●When the migrants get to a European country, there is no guarantee they will be admitted and become citizens. ●Some countries have been willing to take in thousands of refugees while others are resistant. ●Some politicians say their rich countries have a responsibility to take these migrants in while others have said it could lead to economic ruin and increased chances of terrorism.

8. Germany’s Government ●Germany is a federal system, which means there is a combination of central and local power. ●The Bundestag is one half of the German legislature. They select the Prime Minister and can replace her if there are enough votes. They also create and pass laws. The current PM is Angela Merkel. ●The other half of the German legislature is the Bundesrat, which contains representatives from the sixteen states of Germany. They can pass or block laws based on the interests of the citizens in their districts.

9. Russia’s Government ●Citizens directly elect the President, currently Vladimir Putin. The President has broad powers, such as conducting foreign policy and issuing orders. ●The Duma is one half of the legislative body. Their power to replace the President is severely limited, and the President can often ignore the Duma if it issues a vote of no confidence. ●A federal system of government in theory, but more like a unitary system.

10. The United Kingdom’s Government ●The House of Commons is one half of the legislature (Parliament). The members are elected by citizens, and the officials select a Prime Minister based on the party with the most members. They also help make and pass laws. Unlike Germany, the legislature does not contain representation from the various areas of the country. ●The Prime Minister carries out executive actions, usually involving foreign policy. The current PM is David Cameron. ●The House of Commons can replace the Prime Minister through a vote of no confidence if there is enough support for this.