In a previous essay on my blog, I had argued that, since 1989, the region had gone through three distinct phases. In the first phase, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, we had seen a period of unrivaled US dominance in the region. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq had given the pretext for […]

For a time the pattern of alliances in the Middle East was organised into monarchical-conservative and republican-nationalist camps. Following the 1991 Kuwait war, there was a realignment which pitted a Saudi-Syrian-Egyptian alliance against a disgraced and battered Baathist Iraq and its perceived allies such as the Jordanian monarchy. Because the Damascus Declaration countries were the […]

Since moving to Canada last year, the word �??news�?� has almost taken a new meaning for me. News over here consistently seems to mean little more than the weather, tax laws, traffic jams, and election campaigns. But that is hardly a surprise for a country like Canada. with only one country sharing its borders, a […]

Many have speculated about the political outcome of the young Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s policies and strategic choices which placed the country he rules in the current status since his take-over from his father seven years ago. In a tough neighborhood such as the Middle East, no single political choice can be perfect as the […]

I’ll attempt to provide a brief review of the nature of the relationship between each of the eight counties with Syria and present brief reflections on the route these relationships might be heading in the coming few years. To simplify this complex exercise, the countries listed could be grouped into three main categories with regards […]

The fate of Syria’s political and economic relations with foreign powers and its neighbors will be determined, unfortunately, by the developments and outcomes of the conflicts involving more powerful state actors on the world stage. It would be a fine thing if Syria could suddenly disengage itself from the surrounding conflicts, take a new hands […]

The simple answer is all of them. And I mean all of them (i.e. including Israel). Because as the saying goes; Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The best Syrian example of such a policy occurred in the 90’s when Hafez Al Assad managed one hell of a balancing act with most regional […]

From a North European�??s viewpoint the overall relations between Arab and Muslim countries with each other are �?? how can one say it politely �?? confusing. In speeches, and undoubtedly in the minds of normal people, an Arab unity exists but in practical moves the co-operation is rather low. Arab world is like Europe 100 […]

Syria’s geopolitical importance in the region stems from the following facts: – It shares a border with Israel. – It lies on the Eastern Mediterranean – It is to the south of Turkey, an aspiring EU applicant and a Muslim present member of NATO. – Following the US invasion of Iraq in early 2003, Syria’s […]

It has become trendy for certain Syrophiles, and most definitely Syrophobes to suggest that it should be inveterate in any progress on the Golan front for Syria to abandon its interests and its history in Lebanon. This is an insidious formula that is being put forward as almost self – evident in the hopes that […]