Syria is in the middle of a global power play between the United States and Russia.
The chain of events which led to U.S. military strikes this month was set off by Syrian President Bashaar al-Assad. Coming from a political family, he was first elected in 2000 and since backed by Russia. The Assad government's choice to use force in response to mass protests that began in 2011 escalated to a deadly chemical attack on April 4.
David Lesch, author of "Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad," was well acquainted with the embattled president and explains how foreign interests continue to collide with conflict in the Middle East.
Guest: David Lesch, Ph.D., author and Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of History at Trinity University
