Fred H. Lawson 
Demystifying Syria [EPUB ebook] 

Syria stands at the centre of contemporary Middle Eastern affairs but remains poorly understood. Recent writing has focused on the intentions and objectives of the political leadership in Damascus, yet there are many severe constraints on what senior policy-makers can actually do. This collection presents new research conducted by the contributors on aspects of Syrian politics, economics and diplomacy that are too often ignored. Essays on the shifting relations between the Ba’th party and the armed forces, burgeoning private enterprise and the dramatic Turkish – Syrian detente will prove essential reading for anyone with an interest in this pivotal and assertive Middle Eastern state. Contributors include Bassem Haddad, Souhail Belhadj, Baudoin Dupret, Zouhair Ghazzal, Thomas Pierret, Salwa Ismail, Joshua Landis and Joe Pace.

Table of Content

Contents: Acknowledgements 7 Introduction by Fred H. Lawson 9 1. Changing Social Structure, Shifting Alliances 13 and Authoritarianism in Syria Salwa Ismail 2. Enduring Legacies: 29 The politics of private sector development in Syria Bassam Haddad 3. Civil Law and the Omnipotence of the Syrian State 56 Zohair Ghazzal, Baudouin Dupret and Souhail Belhadj 4. Sunni Clergy Politics in the Cities of Ba’thi Syria 70 Thomas Pierret 5. The Shi’i Mausoleums of Raqqa: 85 Iranian proselytism and local significations Myriam Ababsa 6. The 2004 Events in al-Qamishli: 105 Has the Kurdish question erupted in Syria? Julie Gauthier 7. The Syrian Opposition: 120 The struggle for unity and relevance, 2003 – 2008 Joe Pace and Joshua Landis 8. Partnership with the European Union: 144 Hopes, risks and challenges for the Syrian economy Anja Zorob 9. Demystifying Syrian Foreign Policy under Bashar al-Asad 159 Bassel F. Salloukh 10. The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship: 180 Syrian – Turkish relations since 1998 Fred H. Lawson Notes on Contributors 207 Bibliography 213 Index 219

About the author

Fred H. Lawson is Rice Professor of Government at Mills College, where he teaches international relations and Middle East politics. He first visited Syria in 1979, and later spent a year at the University of Aleppo as a Fulbright Lecturer in International Relations.