The world is witnessing numerous refugee crises right now. The plight of Syrian refugees has received particular attention in recent months, and for good reason. Since 2012, about 11 million people -- nearly half of Syria's population -- have been displaced as a direct result of the conflict in that country. About 4.5 half million people have left Syria and become refugees. These refugees are struggling to build a new life for themselves and their children in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Syrian refugees face tremendous economic, political, health and education challenges in these countries. This panel will highlight these everyday challenges. Panelists will also put this particular refugee crisis in historical context. They will explore the links between the first Gulf War and the refugee crisis, which followed it, and the 2003 US war on Iraq and the rise of ISIS, as well as the most recent conflict/proxy war in Syria, which caused the latest wave of refugees in the region and into Europe.