Best of the Web: What to watch, explore and read on Syria. Manu Brabo/AP Are jihadists really running the show?
"Contrary to many media accounts, the war in Syria is not being waged entirely, or even predominantly, by dangerous Islamists and Al Qaeda die-hards," contends the Institute for the Study of War's Elizabeth O'Bagy in her Wall Street Journal story On the Front Lines of Syria's Civil War. This unconventional take is based on her own experience on the ground: numerous trips to Syria's northern provinces of Latakia, Idlib and Aleppo, and hundreds of hours with Syrian opposition groups. What is the Geneva II conference on Syria? 22 January 2014Last updated at 04:16 ET An international conference to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria has begun in Switzerland.
For months, UN, US and Russian diplomats struggled to persuade both sides to attend what has become known as "Geneva II". The UN's Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has said it would be "unforgivable not to seize this opportunity" to end a conflict that has left more than 100,000 people dead and driven 9.5 million from their homes. How come a peace conference is being held now? The leading Syrian rebel groups have said they reject the peace conference In May 2013, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed to try to "bring both sides to the table" to end the bloodshed.
Their initiative gained greater impetus after a chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus killed hundreds of people on 21 August 2013. Syria profile - Timeline. 18 February 2015Last updated at 05:40 ET A chronology of key events: 1918 October - Arab troops led by Emir Feisal, and supported by British forces, capture Damascus, ending 400 years of Ottoman rule.
The Ottoman governor of Syria, Jamal Pasha, rides through Damascus in 1917 1919 - Emir Feisal backs Arab self-rule at the Versailles peace conference, following the defeat of Germany and the Ottoman Empire in World War I. 1919 June - Elections for a Syrian National Congress are held. 1920 March - The National Congress proclaims Emir Feisal king of Syria "in its natural boundaries" from the Taurus mountains in Turkey to the Sinai desert in Egypt. French control 1920 June - San Remo conference splits up Feisal's newly-created Arab kingdom by placing Syria-Lebanon under a French mandate, and Palestine under British control. 1920 July - French forces occupy Damascus, forcing Feisal to flee abroad. Guide to the Syrian opposition. 17 October 2013Last updated at 02:41 ET In 90 seconds: Who are the Syrian opposition?
More than two years after the uprising began in Syria, the opposition remains fractious and deeply divided. The wide variety of political groups, exiled dissidents, grassroots activists and armed militants have been unable to agree on how to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. Several groups, however, have tried to form coalitions to unite opposition supporters in Syria and gain international help and recognition. Here is a guide to some of the most prominent alliances. In November 2012, Syrian opposition factions agreed to set up a new and more inclusive leadership council at a meeting in Doha, Qatar. Ahmed Jarba became president of the National Coalition in July 2013 'Civil, democratic Syria' A blueprint for the National Coalition was outlined in a document published by the veteran dissident Riad Seif, who was subsequently elected one of its two vice-presidents.
Resignation. Syria accused of torture and 11,000 executions. 21 January 2014Last updated at 13:02 ET Leaked pictures 'show evidence of starvation, beatings and strangulation' There is clear evidence that Syria has systematically tortured and executed about 11,000 detainees since the start of the uprising, a report by three former war crimes prosecutors says.
The investigators examined thousands of still images of dead prisoners, many reportedly smuggled out by a defector. A Syrian spokesman said the report had no credibility as it was commissioned by Qatar, which funds rebel groups. The report comes a day before peace talks are due to begin in Switzerland. The talks, known as "Geneva II", will open in Montreux, and continue in Geneva two days later. It is seen as the biggest diplomatic effort yet to end the three-year conflict which has left more than 100,000 dead and millions displaced. Meanwhile, in its annual report released on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch accuses Russia and China of allowing abuses to take place by blocking action through the UN.
Syria crisis: Children 'recruited' by armed groups. 12 March 2013Last updated at 21:45 ET Save the Children says the only way to stop young people's suffering in Syria "is to bring an end to the war" Increasing numbers of children in Syria are being recruited by armed groups on both sides of the conflict, Save the Children says in a report.
Children are being used as porters, guards, informers and fighters and, in some cases, as human shields, the charity said in Childhood Under Fire. Some two million children are in need of assistance in Syria, Save the Children estimates. It says the two-year conflict has affected all aspects of their lives.
Risk of disease Researchers from Turkey found that three in every four Syrian children they interviewed had lost a loved one because of the fighting, the report says. Many have lost access to healthcare and are living in unsanitary conditions where the risk of disease is high. Lost generation.