The Structure Of The Current Regime

Syria and Lebanon are two dramatically different states with a deeply intertwined history. They were both born out of French interventionism following World War 1, and have experienced complex and strained relations ever since. The two nations have both experienced prodigious political turmoil since gaining their independence, with both suffering from civil wars and conflict with their mutual neighbor, Israel. The war and turmoil that has plagued these two countries can be traced back to various competing national interests, as well as a struggle for regional power. The various religious groups in the area have historically formed transnational advocacy networks with the intent of influencing regional politics. These groups have proved to of been a major factor in the history of both nations.

Syria’s civil war is the worst humanitarian crisis of modern time. The “Syrian Civil war Began in March of 2011, between rebel brigades and government force; economy and infrastructure is destroyed” (Library, 2016). “Divisions between secular and religious fighters, and between ethnic groups, continue to complicate the politics of the conflict” (Corps, 2016). Additionally, the Syrian civil war has taken a significant

This memo seeks to offer insight into the current emergency in Syria and how it threatens the security of US. It is hoped that it will help shape US foreign policy for Syria with the aim of protecting Americans from acts of terrorism and at the same time save the lives of Syrians.

I am writing to you today as a student at the College of William and Mary. I am in an International Security class and recently we studied the events occurring in Syria. As you are well aware, the situation in Syria has been dramatically deteriorating in recent months with the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the recent entrance of Russia into the conflict. Syria, meanwhile, has been in the midst of a ravaging civil war since the early spring of 2011. Currently, the government of Syria is led by President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the Syrian Ba’ath Party, a branch of the same Ba’ath Party that Saddam Hussein was also a member of. This similarity may lead some to think that Syria will end up like Iraq, with a

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has been in charge since 2000, following on from his late father who ruled for 30 years. Commencing in March of 2011, an anti-regime uprising has since escalated into Civil War where it has been estimated that more than 400,000 have been killed (CNN, 2017). Just this death toll alone proves the danger and inhumane conditions the people of Syria have been living in for over six years. Controlling large areas of Northern and Eastern Syria, Islamic State (IS) have been left battling government forces, rebel brigades and air strikes from

The opposition forces, while not fighting each other or Assad's forces, are combating a tertiary group of radical islamists --who-- like the forces of the Comintern, are comprised of domestic and foreign radicals who are imposing their totalitarian will over the regions that they control. It must be noted that while ISIS, in contrast with the Comintern forces, is not a hard Leftist organization. The economic alignment of ISIS can be more accurately compared to that of Third Position politics, which share many socio-economic traits of Stalinist Leftism. SImilar to the Spanish Civil War, this political infighting has led to the weakening of the opposition forces. This has led to many experts alluding to a Assad victory. A victory that could be avoided if the opposition forces put aside their ideological differences in the quest for “democracy”.

Syria is currently all over the news regarding what many have to come to see as a civil war. A term like civil war needs to identify the players and the reasons for the war. In this case the players are being identified as pro government or antigovernment with a Sunni or Shia overtone. Sunni and Shia are the two major sects of Islam and both have a historical based conflict going back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad and how Muslims should be governed. This conflict has caused tensions and violence to flare up throughout Islamic history. This conflict has carried into modern times and has becoming a rallying point for Muslim people calling for change with their government and across the Middle Eastern region. The

_party incontives and sanctions for or against loyla and disloyal party members appears to be central to the control of the lefislature by the excutive in emerging democracies.

In addition, the non-intervention by Saudi Arabia will be examined and this paper will attempt to determine why they have not become involved in the Syrian Civil War despite being a large power in

Secondly, at the standard of theater strategy, in launching an unannounced invasion against a vast country whose tactical strength he was not trying encroach upon. Ruling in the Iraqi government is at the mercy of the Ba’th party, whose society infiltrates the legislative structure and a far-reaching audience. Political factions opposite the Ba’th, may candidly take part in an organized allied group, the National Front, but only governed by the Ba’th’s orders. Even though affiliation in the organization is not a requirement for government commissioning, or even for progressive development, many of Ba’th and non Ba’th Iraqi’s consent that, “An incompetent Ba’thi is unlikely to be promoted, but all factors being equal a Ba’thi has a greater advantage then a non-Ba’thi.” (Helms

Contrary to popular beliefs, civil activism and civil society has managed to thrive in the Middle East. Social movements on a variety of topics have occurred despite the lack of democracy and democratic institutions in certain countries. One popular movement was the Arab Ba’ath Movement which eventually led to the formation of the Baath Party. By analyzing the movement’s history, ideological stance, goals, the actors, dissenters, and international aspect, one can determine how and why the movement flourished in Syria.

Over the past decades, political instability, violence and economic insecurity have swayed the Republic of Iraq. Iraq and its people have faced continual violence and instability from the dictatorship that overflowed in Iraq during Saddam Hussein regime (Irfad: Iraq Government, 2014). After countless years Iraq’s unsuccessful armed forces, eventually acquired a much higher weapon system out of the necessity of war. Iraq the once prosperous nation has fallen due to the military actions by their former leader.

Political parties act as an integral part to the working of democracy. It serves as an organization (of the people) to represent their common interest and needs. However, the effectiveness of a democracy can vary greatly and political parties play a significant role in doing so, thus, strengthening or weakening the democracy. In the following paragraphs, I hope to point out that Political parties do, in fact, help in promoting and strengthening democracy even if they are flawed. Democracy, as I see it, is a political system consisting of four key elements, (i) free and fair elections, (ii) active participation of people in politics, (iii) protection of human rights and (iv) rule of law. A democracy is strong when they execute these four-key elements with effectively although, it tends to weaken if even one of these criterions aren’t met. I analyzed how political parties such as PT in Brazil, the PJ in Argentina and PAN in Mexico helped in promoting democracy by proposing an alternative to the current political system and increasing the involvement of the citizens into the political system. Political parties can have both positive and negative impact on Democracy, however, they are indispensable for the working of a Democracy as well as promoting it.

The Syrian Uprising is an ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Ba'ath government and those seeking to oust its regime. The conflict has many complex entities with factions present that are seeking their own foothold in the country’s struggle over power. However, this was not always the case and an examination will take place into weather the conflict can be defined as either a civil war, an insurgency or a proxy conflict. The definition of the type of conflict is relevant as it is critical to whether or not intervention is necessary and how states may go about it, for instance, the laws of war are different from the laws of armed protests.

According to the Library of Congress, “[t]he Algerian government is a multi-party republic with a constitution and a strong presidency.” There are three branches of government including a legislative, executive, and judicial branch. The president has a considerable amount of power. He can appoint or dismiss the prime minister, act as the commander in chief of the armed forces, and more. Currently the president is Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has been in office since 1999. Ideally, there is a presidential election every 5 years, with a limit of 2 terms per president. However, it seems as if President Bouteflika is not going to abide by that provision (Country Profile, Algeria 17).