There are many good sources that look at the roots of the conflict in Syria. Here are a few:

• The One Map That Shows why Syria is so Complicated:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/27/the-one-map-that-shows-why-syria-is-so-complicated/
• Nine Questions About Syria You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/29/9-questions-about-syria-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/
• UNESCO Warns Syrian Heritage Being Destroyed:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/30/unesco-syria-_n_3844191.html
• Those Ancient Differences: http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2013/09/sects-syria
• Aleppo Roulette: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23696829
• Boy Killed for an Off-Hand remark about Muhammad – Sharia Spreads in Syria:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23139784
• http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/27/the-first-truly-heartwarming-video-from-syria-in-a-long-time/

Related articles

• King Abdullah of Jordan In January 2013: The New Taliban Will Be In Syria, It Will Take At Least 2-3 Years To Clean Up Al-Qaeda (disquietreservations.blogspot.com)
• A Guide to Syria’s Best Citizen Journalism (newrepublic.com)