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The Struggle of Syria
6/1/2011
Overview:
Since gaining its independence from the French in 1946, Syria has had a rocky and troubled history. Located in one of the most conflict ridden parts of the world, Syria's turmoil has involved both its regional neighbors as well as its own internal factions that have made self rule a challenging goal. Join Active Minds as we seek to understand Syria's history and how this informs current and future challenges for this pivotal player in the Middle East.
Key Lecture Points:
• Syria has a long (and frequently troubled) history. Over the course of two millennia, ancient Syria was conquered and occupied by various peoples/empires in the region including the Egyptians, Hebrews, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Turks, and French.
• The people of this varied land are reflective of those centuries of conflict. While 90% of the population are Muslim, they reflect many various Muslim divisions: Sunni, Shia, Druze, Alawi and others. Additionally, Syria has a 10% Christian minority, as well as ethnic minorities, including 9% Kurd.
• Syria’s present-day borders are the result of the end of World War I and the French and the British dividing up the defeated Ottoman imperial lands. During the period between the world wars, the French sought to increase their strength in Syria (and neighboring Lebanon) by supporting and separating religious minorities and thereby weakening the Arab nationalist movement.
• Syria gained its independence from France in 1946. With a legacy of division, exacerbated by regional upheaval including participation in Arab wars against Israel, combined to make rule over Syria difficult.
• In 1963 the secular Ba’ath Party took control of Syria and emergency law was declared. (It was not lifted until 2011.) Later, in 1970, Hafez al-Assad took control of the Syrian Ba’athist party and stayed in control of the country until his death in 2000. Hafez’ rule was characterized by swift and frequently bloody crackdowns upon dissent, including the 1982 quelling of a Muslim Brotherhood uprising in the city of Hama. Hafez was succeeded in 2000 by his son, Bashar al-Assad.
• The so-called “Arab Spring” of 2011, characterized by peaceful protests against long-standing regimes, reached Syria in March when teenagers were arrested and tortured for painting anti-regime graffiti. Assad has met the mounting unrest with a combination of crackdowns and compromise. Although Assad lifted the emergency law of Syria, he also ordered his military and security forces to open fire on protests and laid siege to the town of Dara’a. As of June 1, 2011, approximately 1,000 protesters have been killed and thousands more have been arrested.
Exploration Questions:
• How are the Syrian protests different from the other uprisings taking place during the Arab Spring of 2011? How are they the same?
• What are the major issues impacting US-Syrian relations?
Reflective Questions:
• Do you think Assad will be able to remain in power? Why do you think his family has been able to stay in power for so many decades?
• Have you ever been to Syria? The Middle East? What were your impressions?
More to Explore:
• History of Syria: www.globalsecurity.org
• Facebook features: http://news.bbc.co.uk
Books For Further Reading:
• Brooke, Allen. The Other Side of the Mirror: An American Travels Through Syria. Paul Dry Books, 2011. 259 pages. Introduction to contemporary Syria. Click here to order.
• Less, Jess. Syria Handbook. Footprint Handbooks, 2010. 384 pages. Traveler’s guide to Syria. Click here to order.
• Standish, Sarah. Syria-Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture. Kuperard, 2010. 168 pages. A look at Syria’s history and present day political realities. Click here to order.
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