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What's Happening in Syria? - A devastating chemical attack. A possible U.S. military intervention. Hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. The two-year-long Syrian crisis has exploded back into international headlines with a vengeance. Read to learn more about the conflict’s origin, the key issues and the U.S.’s potential involvement.—Patrice Peck(Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah )

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Syrian Refresher - Since March 2011, Syria has been crippled by a brutal civil war. More than an estimated 100,000 people have died in the last two-and-a-half years in violent clashes between President Bashar al-Assad’s long-serving government and rebel forces who want him out.(Photo: REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters)

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How It All Began - The arrest and reported torturing of 15 schoolchildren who had written anti-government graffiti on a wall launched a series of peaceful protests in late February 2011 in the city of Deraa. Protesters called for the release of the children, along with democracy and greater freedoms for citizens.(Photo: LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)

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From Peace to Bloodshed - As the demonstrators became more resolute, the government crackdown worsened. On March 18, 2011, the army opened fire on protesters, killing four people. At the victims’ funerals the next day, the army shot at mourners, killing one. The jailed youths were eventually freed, but the unrest had already spread throughout the country thanks to social media. Despite calls for him to leave, President al-Assad refuses to step down.(Photo: Jalaa Marey/JINI/Getty Images)

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Millions Displaced - The violence has triggered a humanitarian crisis, making it difficult for many people to access water, food, electricity and medical supplies. More than two million people have fled the war by escaping to refugee camps in neighboring countries, according to the U.N. Children make up more than half of the refugees, with three-quarters of them being under 11-years-old.(Photo: REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)

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Claims of Chemical Attacks - Allegations about the use of chemical weapons in the civil war — which is banned under international law — were repeatedly denied by the Syrian government. But following the investigation of a suspected gas attack on Aug. 22 that killed hundreds of civilians, the claims were confirmed by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday (Aug. 26).(Photo: AP Photo/Local Committee of Arbeen)

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A “Moral Obscenity” - Secretary of State John Kerry condemned what he claimed to be the “undeniable” use of chemical weapons by al-Assad’s regime, describing the attack as a “moral obscenity.” "What we saw in Syria last week should shock the conscience of the world," he said at a news conference. Meanwhile, Syria’s foreign minister said he rejects the allegations “utterly and completely.”(Photos from left: REUTERS/SANA/Handout, AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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A Crucial Decision - As of Aug. 27, President Obama must decide whether to order military action in another Middle East nation. "Make no mistake," Kerry said at the State Department, continuing, "President Obama believes there must be accountability for those who would use the world's most heinous weapons against the world's most vulnerable people." (Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque )

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Where Other World Leaders Stand - In August, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron called for a Parliament meeting to discuss and vote on a possible military response to the alleged gas attack, reported AP. French President Francois Hollande told President Obama that he would support him in a military intervention, according to a local paper. Russia, an ally of Syria, has warned against the use of force without a U.N. sanction.(Photos from left: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images, AP Photo/Kenzo Tribouillard/Pool, AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, file)

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Will Obama Wait on the U.N.? - The U.N. Security Council has been deadlocked on the Syrian conflict since 2011, with Russia and China having vetoed three resolutions condemning Assad and calling for action against his government. The U.S. might intervene in the conflict without U.N. backing, which some — including Russia — would consider illegal.(Photo: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

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Moving Forward - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Aug. 27 that the U.S. has several warships and warplanes positioned within range of targets inside Syria, ready to act on any order by President Obama. Hagel also predicted that U.S. intelligence agencies would also conclude that the Syrian government led the gas attack.(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Kerry: The Attack Was an “Inconceivable Horror” - On Aug. 30, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said President al-Assad’s forces killed 1,429 people, including 426 children, in the chemical weapon attack, according to a detailed intelligence report released that same day. Shortly afterward, President Obama said because the attack threatened U.S. national security interests, he is contemplating limited and narrow action.(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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International Critics Speak Out - Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service believes Assad’s government was responsible for the gas attacks, according to a local news magazine. Yet, Germany has said it will not participate in any military intervention, but will push for action by the deadlocked U.N. Security Council instead. Several Latin Americans leaders also condemned any military action against Syria as a violation of international law.(Photo: Adam Berry/Getty Images)

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Seeking Congress' Support - President Obama decided to seek congressional authorization for military action against Syria. He embarked on a full-press lobbying blitz on Sept. 1 to convince skeptical Americans and lawmakers about the need to respond to the Syrian government’s alleged chemical weapons attack. The vote is expected after Congress returns to work on Sept. 9.(Photo: Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images

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Senate Panel Gives the Greenlight - On Sept. 4, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution, authorizing Obama’s request to use military force against Syria, but also setting a time limit. The resolution sets a 60-day deadline, plus a 30-day extension and a provision banning the use of ground troops. The full Senate votes next week. (Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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#AssadPromotesHisPresidency - A series of photographs exhibiting President Assad and his wife, Asma, attending community basketball games and doling out food to their constituents have appeared on the president’s Instagram account. Missing from the account are images of the nation’s recent chemical weapon attack and the subsequent deaths of civilians and children.(Photo: Courtesy Instagram via Bashar Assad)

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G-20 Meets in Russia - Obama and other world leaders attended the G-20 summit in Russia on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, where he continued lobbying for international support on his request to strike Syria. The president had a “candid and constructive conversation” with Putin on the matter, AP reported. Ten members of the G-20 joined the U.S. in accusing Assad’s government for last month’s gas attack, calling for a global response.(Photo: ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images)

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Obama Heads to TV - A new poll released on Sept. 9 by CNN revealed that although eight out of 10 Americans were against the U.S. interfering with Syria, a majority of them believe the Syrian regime executed the Aug. 21 chemical attack.(Photo: Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)

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Rose and Assad - In a rare television interview with Charlie Rose on Sunday, Sept. 8, President Assad told the American journalist that his regime was not involved in the Aug. 21 chemical weapon attack. He also warned of retaliation from his nation’s allies if the U.S. and its allies were to strike Syria. The interview will air on Monday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m.(Photos: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images; REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters)

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My Fellow Americans - To sway public opinion and continue persuading Congress on a U.S. strike, President Obama will conduct six TV interviews on Monday, Sept. 9. He will also make a national TV address on Sept. 10 from the White House at 9 p.m. A full Senate vote and a House vote are expected by the end by Friday, Sept. 13. (Photo: Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images)

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Syria Accepts Russia’s Proposal - In an unexpected turn of events, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem announced on Sept. 10 that Syria has accepted Russia’s proposal to put its chemical weapons to international control. "I think we have to be skeptical, but cautiously optimistic because this is a positive development," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told CBS News. Stay tuned to BET.com for more updates as the situation unfolds.(Photo: XINHUA /LANDOV)