Syria. Government After WWI, was colonized by French After WWII, gained independence But...
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Transcript of Syria. Government After WWI, was colonized by French After WWII, gained independence But...
Government
After WWI, was colonized by FrenchAfter WWII, gained independence
But politically unstable as military coup’s were common 1970, Hafiz al-Assad seized power 2000, upon Hafiz’ death, son (Bashar al-Assad) became
president and remains in power …So, authoritarian republic
Shares borders w/ Iraq, Israel, Turkey…
Economy
GDP = $107 billion Per capita = $5,100 (ranks 159 of 229 in world)
Below the likes of Mongolia, Morocco, Guatemala Just ahead of Fiji, Honduras, the Congo
Dependence on oil 25% of government revenue
Unemployment = 18%
Social Demographics
Religion 74% = Sunni 16% = Shia (including government) 10% = Christian
Population of 20 million similar to Taiwan & Australia
Similar land area to N. Dakota 55% of population is under 25 yrs old
Based on this background information, what issues do you think are likely
problematic in Syrian society?
History of Conflict w/ U.S.
1960-1980: Syria allied with USSR1990-2000: Syria allied with U.S. during Gulf
War2000-2008: Relations w/ U.S. have eroded
Aided search for al-Qaeda U.S. fears over WMDs U.S. fears Syrian alliance w/ Iran U.S. fears Syrian support of anti-Israel groups Considered a state sponsor of terrorism
History of Contemporary Internal Conflict
2011: Arab Spring Youth-oriented popular uprising in Middle East
utilizing the internet to overthrow authoritarian governments
2011-today: Syrian Civil War President Assad’s regime fights to maintain control as
rebels fight to overthrow regime Complications:
Who are the rebels & what do they want? Would the U.S. aid the revolution?
History of Contemporary Internal Conflict
U.S. has remained outside the conflict Limited aid: small-scale CIA training of rebels,
providing small armsRebels control large portion of northern
areasAug. 2012: Obama warns that use of chemical
weapons crosses a red line
Tension Today
March 2013: Syria claims rebels use chemical weapons on Syrians
April 2013: Investigators confirm chemical weapons use, but believe it done by government
Aug. 2013: U.S. & allies begin to organize for strikes Obama’s choices: U.N. cooperation, Congressional
authorization, go-it-aloneSept. 2013: Russia proposes diplomatic
response
Role of Russia
Ally of SyriaAttempts to constrain “American imperialism”
Vetoes military action & sanctions in U.N.
Role of Iran
Ally of Syria One of a few nations with Shia leadership Rivalry with Saudi Arabia’s Sunni leadership
Developing nuclear weapons Aiding Syrian weapons programs Enemy of United States
Victim of chemical weapons use & warns against further use
Archive: History of Tension w/ SyriaFull Interview: Charlie Rose w/ Assad60 Minutes: Assad & Obama Interviews