Unrest in Syria started after children were arrested for anti - government activities . Surrounding Syria are Lebanon , Iraq and Jordan , Israel and Turkey . Anger over arrests spiraled into protests that became an opposition movement . The White House has said chemical weapons are a game changer . Russia is threatened by Syria , its longtime ally .
Unrest in Syria started after children were arrested for anti - government activities . Anger over arrests spiraled into protests that became an opposition movement . The White House has said chemical weapons are a game changer . Russia is threatened by Syria , its longtime ally .