The uprising in Syria:
- March 2011: First protests erupt, dozens killed. Government announces reforms, then resigns.
- April, May 2011: Protests intensify and spread, hundreds killed. U.S. imposes sanctions on top leaders.
- August, September 2011: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain withdraw ambassadors. U.S. imposes economic sanctions, EU bans Syrian oil imports.
- October 2011: Russia, China veto a U.N. resolution condemning Syria.
- November 2011: The Arab League suspends Syria's membership.
- January 2012: Government releases 5,000 prisoners. Death toll soars past 7,000.
- February 2012: Russia, China veto a second U.N. resolution condemning crackdown.
- March 2012: Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan holds talks in Syria. U.N. says death toll exceeds 9,000. Syria agrees to U.N.-backed peace plan.
- April 2012: Syria says it will abide by a cease-fire on April 12, but violence continues. U.N. observers arrive.
- May 2012: Syria holds parliamentary elections, violence continues, U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan appeals to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop the violence.
- June 2012: Western nations expel Syrian diplomats, Mr. Annan urges increased pressure on Syria.