Up to Speed   Up to Speed: Five Things You Need to Know on Syria
Yes, Obama has asked Congress to approve a military strike on
Syria. But what’s really going on? Christopher Dickey explains,
from the factions involved to the U.S. objective and the real
game changer.  One way or the other, the United States is about
to take responsibility for what happens in Syria’s gruesome
civil war.  President Obama stopped the rush to military action
by calling for Congress to preapprove an attack to punish the
regime for using chemical weapons. But if Congress votes yes,
the United States will be a party to the conflict, no matter how
limited its actions. If Congress votes no, Washington will have
walked away from what Obama called “a crime against humanity”
and will be blamed for the carnage to come. It’s not a pretty
picture, and it’s extremely complicated.  Here are five key
points to bring you up to speed on Syria:  (1) This is a full-
blown civil war. The ruthless Assad family has ruled Syria since
1970. It is essent