DOCSLIB.ORG

Hafez Al-Assad Challenge

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hafez Al-Assad Challenge LOSE-UP lim Brotherhood, which has posed the biggest internal Hafez al-Assad challenge. In February 1982 the army brutally crushed a Muslim Brotherhood rebel- The Hindawi affair, and population, which is 70% lion in Hama in an operation Syria's part in working for Sunni Muslim. An offshoot of that claimed the lives of over the release of hostages held the Shi'a, the Alawis are re- 20,000 people. Although this in Beirut, have highlighted garded by many Muslims as reduced the brotherhood's the two contrasting images heretics, although in 1973 activities, Assad has this prevailing in the West of Assad persuaded the year been unnerved by a Syria's president, Hafez al- Lebanese Shi'a leader, the series of well co-ordinated Assad. On the one hand, he is late Imam Mousa Sadr, to bomb attacks. These have perceived as an extremist rule that the Alawis are been variously attributed to ready to resort to the most Shi'ites. the Muslim Brotherhood, sinister methods to achieve The Alawi mountains were Palestinians, the Iraqis, the his ends. On the other, he is one of the poorest and most Israelis and Lebanese Christ- regarded as a stabilising backward areas of Syria, and ians - the regime has no shor- force in a politically chaotic like other Syrian minorities tage of enemies. part of the world, whose co- the Alawis used the Ba'th Assad is a somewhat au- operation is vital if peace is Party, created in 1940, and stere man, and a workaholic ever to be attained. the military to advance whose punishing schedule is Until recently, Western themselves. In the years fol- thought to have precipitated countries were prepared to lowing the March 1963 coup his serious illness (probably play down suspected terror- led by Ba'thist and other a heart attack) in late 1983. ist activity and its links with officers, Assad was one of The illness triggered shows groups such as Abu Nidal's in the central figures in the in- of armed strength between order to maintain relations tricate jockeying for power Assad's controversial with Damascus. But the Hin- between different Ba'thist brother, Rifaat, and his milit- dawi trial and the subsequent factions before he achieved ary rivals. Rifaat, one of cutting of relations with power in 1970. three vice-presidents, now Assad: Under pressure Syria by Britain have chal- This talent for manoeuvre appears to be in 'exile' in lenged this approach. has stood him in good stead Europe, but the succession with Israel 'in political, de- The role of Assad himself in during his presidency, when issue seems to be unre- mographic, social, educa- the Hindawi plot is obscure, he has often been able to solved. If Assad is suddenly tional, economic and military but whether he was aware of juggle a complex set of removed from the stage, aspects of life.' He sees the it, or whether it was planned domestic and regional fac- there could well be a re- treaty of friendship and co- independently by one of tors to Syria's benefit. He has newed struggle for power. operation signed with the made and broken alliances Assad is determined that Soviet Union in October 1980 with sometimes ruthless other Arab countries should as vital. Since the decimation 'Assad is determined that abruptness, and his relations not follow Egypt's example of the Syrian air force in the other Arab countries should with the opposing factions in in signing a peace agreement Israeli invasion of Lebanon not follow Egypt's example in Lebanon, with the various with Israel. He fears that in in 1982, the Soviet Union has Palestinian organisations such a 'salami' approach to installed a sophisticated air signing a peace agreement and with other Arab states peace, he will be left out in defence system, and has with Israel' have frequently shifted over the cold without regaining poured in weaponry. the past 10 years in the pur- the Golan Heights seized by But Assad is far from being Syria's several intelligence suit of his wider objectives. Israel in 1967. It was Syrian a 'Soviet proxy' in the Middle agencies - perhaps even by a Although much of the real pressure that led Lebanon to East, as is sometimes dissident faction - his stand- political power in Syria is abrogate a US-sponsored claimed, and there have been ing has suffered. now concentrated in the accord with Israel signed in serious differences between In November, Assad cele- hands of the Alawis, Assad May 1983. The deal collapsed the two sides - for example brated the 16th anniversary has made efforts to widen his the following March after over divisions in the PLO. In of his coming to power in a power base. Thus in the early the US withdrew its marines addition, Assad has for all his bloodless coup. His ability to days of his presidency he from Beirut. rhetoric been keen to im- have survived as president in reversed some of the hard- But Assad still faces serious prove the dialogue with the a country previously famous line policies of his 'neo- challenges in Lebanon, and West. for its high coup rate, and to Ba'thist' predecessors, has not succeeded in making The coming months are have steered Syria to a pivot- courting the urban private the Syrian-backed peace likely to be a testing time for al position in Middle Eastern sector with a series of econo- agreement stick. The grow- Assad. Not only are the poli- politics, is remarkable. mic liberalisations, estab- ing power of the Iranian- tical pressures mounting, There was, however, no- lishing a People's Council backed Shi'ite groups, parti- but the Syrian economy is in thing in his early background (although this has little pow- cularly Hizbollah, is wor- a critical state, with a lack of to suggest he would one day er), and improving relations rying him, and is putting hard currency and shortages become president of Syria. with other Arab countries. further strain on relations of food, equipment and raw He was born in 1930 in the But the prospect of secta- with Iran which he supports materials. But Assad still en- village of Qardaha, inland rian strife on Lebanese lines in the Gulf War. He is also joys a strong regional posi- from the Mediterranean port is a constant nightmare to concerned about the Palesti- tion, and has squeezed out of of Latakia. He is a member of Assad, and the regime has nian comeback in Lebanon. many tight corners in the the Alawi minority, compris- been unsparing towards its Assad frequently refers to past. ing around 12% of the Syrian opponents, notably the Mus- the need for strategic parity Susannah Tarbush 56 MARXISM TODAY DECEMBER 1986.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • State of the //ART// of the State
    State of the //ART// of the State A Political Economy of Assisted Reproduction in Palestine/Israel Sigrid Vertommen Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Political and Social Sciences, option Political Sciences. Middle East and North Africa Research Group - Department of Conflict and Development Studies, Ghent University March 2017 Supervisor: Prof. dr. Sami Zemni Cover design by Aïlien Reyns TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................ v Samenvatting ..................................................................................................................................................................... vi List of Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................................................... xi Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 State of the ART ............................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 1987 Narrative Report (QMER).Pdf
    CONFIDENTIAL -- Nor FOR QUITTATION OR ATI'RIBUTION NARRATIVE REPORT August 15, 1:nn l) Nar,1e and Location of Program: American Friends Service Committee Middle East Representatives Office/ Residence: P.O. Box 9001, Amman, Jordan 2) Reporting Period: August l, 1986 to August l, 1987 3) Goals and objecti ves To provide the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Quaker organizations in England, Canada, Australia, and New Zeal~nd with information and interpretation of events and view­ points in the Middle East; to provide a quarterly newsletter; to arrange for AFSC -connected tour groups to meet political and religious leaders, human rights workers, educators and journalists throughout the region; to eventually speak to audiences in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. In addition, for the coming period, we have received a proposal from within the region that we listen for opportunities to draw a small group of Israeli and Palestinian journalists together, in a neutral setting, so they can discuss their pro­ fessional interpretat ions of each of their societies. 4) Activities carried out during this period: During our time inside and outside Jordan, we prepared for and accompanied a group of 10 people in Jordan and for three sep­ arate individuals to travel in the region: September 1986 - Billie Marchik - North Central Region AFSC Middle East Program Staff - 9-day introductory trip to Egypt and Jordan following her trip to Israel/Occupied Territories with The Nation tour . October 1 986 - United Church of Christ (UCC) delegation 2 day visit in Jordan January 1987 - warren Witte - Director of Informa­ tion Services for Philadelphia office of AFSC-- 3 week, 4 country introductory trip.
    [Show full text]
  • United States' Use of Economic Sanctions, Treaty Bending, and Treaty Breaking in International Aviation Gary E
    Journal of Air Law and Commerce Volume 59 | Issue 2 Article 2 1993 United States' Use of Economic Sanctions, Treaty Bending, and Treaty Breaking in International Aviation Gary E. Davidson Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.smu.edu/jalc Recommended Citation Gary E. Davidson, United States' Use of Economic Sanctions, Treaty Bending, and Treaty Breaking in International Aviation, 59 J. Air L. & Com. 291 (1993) https://scholar.smu.edu/jalc/vol59/iss2/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at SMU Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Air Law and Commerce by an authorized administrator of SMU Scholar. For more information, please visit http://digitalrepository.smu.edu. UNITED STATES' USE OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, TREATY BENDING, AND TREATY BREAKING IN INTERNATIONAL AVIATION GARY E. DAVIDSON* I. OVERVIEW 0 VER THE LAST century, States have repeatedly used coercive forms of economic power to force other States in the world community to change their modes of behavior as a response to perceived or real transgressions of international norms and laws. Perhaps one of the most striking examples of the use of punitive economic sanc- tions' came after World War I. The Treaty of Versailles has long been viewed as harsh retribution for Germany's * *Visiting Lecturer in Law, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; B.A. 1981, Duke University; M.A., J.D. 1986, University of Southern California; LL.M. 1992, Georgetown University. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Allan Mendelsohn, not only for his helpful comments on earlier drafts, but for his unflinching encour- agement in this endeavor as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Corbett V. TSA 767 F.3D 1171 (11Th Cir
    Case No. 15-10757 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT JONATHAN CORBETT, Petitioner v. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, Respondent Petition for Review of a Decision of the Transportation Security Administration BRIEF OF PETITIONER JONATHAN CORBETT Jonathan Corbett, Pro Se 382 N.E. 191st St., #86952 Miami, FL 33179 Phone: +1 (305) 600-0410 E-mail: [email protected] CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES Petitioner Jonathan Corbett certifies that the following is a complete list of the trial judges, attorneys, persons, associations of persons, firms, partnerships, or corporations known to him that have an interest in the outcome of this case as defined by 11th Circuit Local Rule 26.1-1: Jonathan Corbett (Petitioner) Sharon Swingle, Jaynie Lilly, Benjamin Mizer, and Wildredo Ferrer (Counsel for Respondent) The TSA, its employees, and directors, including Michael Keane All airlines covered by the TSA’s Aircraft Operator Standard Security Plan (AOSSP) All individuals who travel from foreign countries into the United States – i – STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT Petitioner Jonathan Corbett respectfully requests oral arguments to provide the Court more clarity than can be, or has been, provided in writing, and requests that oral arguments be assigned to the Court’s satellite office in Miami, Fla.. – ii – TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES ..............................................................i STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT..................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Syria: Background and U.S. Relations
    Syria: Background and U.S. Relations Jeremy M. Sharp Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs September 14, 2009 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL33487 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Syria: Background and U.S. Relations Summary Despite its weak military and lackluster economy, Syria remains relevant in Middle Eastern geopolitics. The Asad regime has its hands in each of the four major active or potential zones of conflict in the region (Lebanon, Israel-Palestine, Iraq, and Iran). In the Levant, Syrian leaders aim to dominate the internal politics of Lebanon, and have been accused of involvement in the assassination of four parliamentarians and former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The Asad regime has resisted U.S. and French attempts to bolster the pro-Western government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, believing that it can weather the storm of U.S. pressure over time. Syria also plays a key role in the Middle East peace process, acting at times as a “spoiler” by sponsoring Palestinian militants and facilitating the rearmament of Hezbollah. At other times, it has participated in substantive negotiations with Israel, most recently in 1999-2000. A September 6 Israeli air strike against an alleged nascent Syrian nuclear facility heightened an already tense atmosphere between the two countries, though most experts believe that neither side desires a new war. Regarding Iraq, the Iraqi refugee crisis has affected Syria far more than Syria has influenced internal Iraqi politics since the fall of Saddam Hussein. There now may be close to 1.4 million Iraqis inside Syria, many of whom face the dim prospect of remaining in permanent exile.
    [Show full text]
  • The Strategic Culture of Irredentist Small Powers: the Case of Syria
    THE STRATEGIC CULTURE OF IRREDENTIST SMALL POWERS: THE CASE OF SYRIA Murhaf Jouejati Prepared for: Defense Threat Reduction Agency Advanced Systems and Concepts Office Comparative Strategic Cultures Curriculum Contract No: DTRA01-03-D-0017, Technical Instruction 18-06-02 This report represents the views of its author, not necessarily those of SAIC, its sponsors, or any United States Government Agency 31 October 2006 1 2 The Strategic Culture of Irredentist Small Powers: The Case of Syria Murhaf Jouejati STRATEGIC CULTURE DEFINED Strategic culture is that set of shared beliefs, assumptions, and modes of behavior, derived from common experiences and accepted narratives (both oral and written), that shape collective identity and relationships to other groups, and which determine appropriate ends and means for achieving security objectives. STRATEGIC CULTURE PROFILE Summary Description of Syria’s Strategic Culture By virtue of its leading role in the Arab national movement, Syria’s strategic culture is rooted in its view of itself as the champion of Arab rights against what it perceives to be Western penetration of the Middle East, with Israel as its bridgehead. That perception is derived from Syria’s bitter experience with Western colonial powers, especially Britain, which first fragmented the Middle East, then colonized it, and later supported European Jews in the usurpation of Palestine. It is also derived from Syria’s frustration with the United States, which provides Israel massive military, political, and economic support – even as Israel occupies Arab territories in violation of United Nations Security Council land-for-peace resolutions. With the advent of the more pragmatic Hafez Assad regime in 1970, Syria limited its objectives vis-à-vis Israel: from the liberation of Palestine to the recovery of the Arab territories Israel occupied during the 1967 war (and the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza).
    [Show full text]
  • Freezing U.S. Assets of Syrian Officials | the Washington Institute
    MENU Policy Analysis / PolicyWatch 1012 Freezing U.S. Assets of Syrian Officials by Matthew Levitt Jul 13, 2005 ABOUT THE AUTHORS Matthew Levitt Matthew Levitt is the Fromer-Wexler Fellow and director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute. Brief Analysis n July 11, al-Seyassah, an independent Kuwaiti newspaper, reported that Syrian president Bashar al-Asad O froze the assets of his country’s minister of interior affairs, Ghazi Kanaan. If so, that is surely a reaction to Kanaan’s June 30 designation—along with Chief of Syrian Military Intelligence for Lebanon Rustum Ghazali—by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Specially Designated National (SDN) under Executive Order (EO) 13338. The two were cited for directing “Syria’s military and security presence in Lebanon and/or contributing to Syria’s support for terrorism.” The Syria Accountability Act and EO 13338 On May 1, 2003, Congress passed the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, which aimed to press Syria to cease supporting terrorism; end its occupation of Lebanon; halt existing nuclear-, biological-, and chemical-weapons proliferation programs; and stop all illegal imports of Iraqi oil by Syrian forces. On May 11, 2004, the U.S. government went a step further when President George W. Bush issued EO 13338, which declared “a state of national emergency” regarding Syria. EO 13338 empowers the secretary of the treasury to freeze the financial assets of individuals who contribute to Syrian provision of safe haven for terrorists; direct the Syrian military and security presence in Lebanon; aid the Syrian pursuit of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons; undermine U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Domestic Roots of Syria's Changing Foreign Policy
    Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive Theses and Dissertations Thesis Collection 1994-12 Businessmen and butchers: the domestic roots of Syria's changing foreign policy Meyer, Michael B. Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School http://hdl.handle.net/10945/42839 -------------------------------------- NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA OTIC ELECTE. MAY 1 B 1995 . ·' THESIS G BUSINESSMEN AND BUTCHERS: THE DOl\1ESTIC ROOTS OF SYRIA'S CHANGING FOREIGN POLICY by Michael B. Meyer December, 1994 Thesis Advisor: Glenn E. Robinson Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 19950517 098 REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Pub\ ic reponing burden for this collection of information is estimated to average I hour per response. including the time for reviewing instruction. searching existing data sources. gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information. including suggestions for reducing this burden. to Washington Headquarters Services. Directorate tor Information Operauonsand Reports. 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway. Suite 1204. Arlington. VA 22202-4302. and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0 188) Washington DC 20503. I. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED December 1994 Master's Thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Businessmen and Butchers: The Domestic Roots 5. FUNDING NUMBERS of Syria's Changing Foreign Policy 6. AUTHOR(S) Meyer, Michael B. 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING Naval Postgraduate School ORGANIZATION Monterey CA 93943-5000 · REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Bomb
    Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Bomb Sophisticated incendiary devices have become terrorists’ favored means of gaining their sinister objectives. by C.J.Visser Netherlands Institute of International Relations During the last two decades, civil aviation has air seemed to guarantee a favorable situation become a favored target of terrorist organiza- for hijacking during which passengers and crew tions. The reasons for this ominous interest could be easily forced into subserviency and are obvious. Internationally oriented, offer- obedience, thus rendering hostage-taking a ing ever-growing distances and faster trans- potentially successful activity. portation, civil aviation has shown a spectacular growth since the fifties, the number of its pas- Hijacking alone could be presented as an act sengers having increased by the millions. of bravery, to be implemented by way of pun- ishment of or warning to the aviation com- Airline companies present themselves, or are pany involved or the state which it represented. introduced, as examples of national prestige The combination of hijacking and hostage-taking and efficiency. Therefore, many countries, what- could provide unmistakable pressure for de- ever their economic situation and whatever mands concerning release of prisoners, ran- the cost, attempt to establish their own na- som or otherwise, and great publicity if they tional airlines. The aviation companies, whether were conducive to protracted negotiations and or not subsidized by their governments, are the presence of the media. the pride of their respective countries; their symbolic value as such should not be under- After the discovery of the vulnerability of air- estimated. Civil aviation, with more than a craft to terrorist attacks, hijackings and hos- million flights a year, has become the most tage-takings spectacularly increased in num- frequently used means of international public ber.
    [Show full text]
  • A Week at the Airport
    Alain de Botton A Week at the Airport Alain de Botton is the author of three works of fiction and eight works of nonfiction, including How Proust Can Change Your Life, The Consolations of Philosophy, and The Art of Travel. He lives in London, where he founded The School of Life (www.theschooloflife.com). www.alaindebotton.com ALSO BY ALAIN DE BOTTON Essays in Love How Proust Can Change Your Life The Consolations of Philosophy The Art of Travel Status Anxiety The Architecture of Happiness The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work A VINTAGE INTERNATIONAL ORIGINAL, SEPTEMBER 2010 Copyright © 2009 by Alain de Botton Photographs copyright © 2009 by Richard Baker All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. Originally published in Great Britain by Profile Books Ltd, London, in 2009. Vintage is a registered trademark and Vintage International and colophon are trademarks of Random House, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data De Botton, Alain. A week at the airport / Alain de Botton ; photographs by Richard Baker. p. cm. 1. Heathrow Airport (London, England). 2. Airports—England— London—Social aspects. I. Title. HE9797.5.G72L625 2010 387.73609421—dc22 2010024511 eISBN: 978-0-307-74269-8 www.vintagebooks.com v3.1 For Saul Contents Cover About the Author Other Books by This Author Title Page Copyright Dedication Chapter I Approach Chapter II Departures Chapter III Airside Chapter IV Arrivals Acknowledgements 1 While punctuality lies at the heart of what we typically understand by a good trip, I have often longed for my plane to be delayed – so that I might be forced to spend a bit more time at the airport.
    [Show full text]
  • Sarah Scott Phd Thesis
    BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS SYRIA: ITS IMPORTANCE, ITS DISTINCTIVENESS AND ITS RELATIONS TO THE POLICY OF OTHER ACTORS IN THE REGION Sarah Scott A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2016 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/9903 This item is protected by original copyright British foreign policy towards Syria: its importance, its distinctiveness and its relations to the policy of other actors in the region Sarah Scott This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 11 May 2016 1. Candidate’s declarations: I, Sarah Scott, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 80, 000 words in length, has been written by me, and that it is the record of work carried out by me, or principally by myself in collaboration with others as acknowledged, and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in September 2009 and as a candidate for the degree of PhD in May 2016; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2009 and 2016. (If you received assistance in writing from anyone other than your supervisor/s): I, …..., received assistance in the writing of this thesis in respect of [language, grammar, spelling or syntax], which was provided by …… Date 12 September 2016 signature of candidate …S Scott…… 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Sebastian Harnisch Magdalena Kirchner Abstract
    NEOCLASSICAL REALISM AND STATE-SPONSORSHIP OF TERRORISM: THE CASE OF SYRIA Sebastian Harnisch Magdalena Kirchner Abstract In this article, we demonstrate that the policy of state-sponsorship of terrorism is intimately linked to the material and social structure of international politics. Taking up Stephen Walt’s balance of threat theory, we argue that states aiming to increase their security must also con- form to domestic and international norms in order to avoid provoking counterbalancing be- havior. Building on Walt’s theory, we hold that the level of state support for terrorist organi- zations depends on an intricate cost/benefit assessment of the sponsoring regime, involving both domestic, i.e. enhanced legitimacy, and external concerns, i.e. retaliation. Walt’s Balance of threat theory was developed and used to explain state alliance/alignment behavior, especially in the Middle East. We seek to broaden its scope by incorporating non- state actors into the realist equation. We suggest that alliance building involving non-state ac- tors arises, when open inter-state balancing behavior carries prohibitive material, i.e. retalia- tion, and/or immaterial costs, i.e. delegitimization. In our comparative study of Syria’s alli- ances with the Palestinian Abu Nidal Organization and Hamas, and the Kurdish PKK in their conflict with three neighboring states - Jordan, Israel and Turkey – we address two questions: 1) How can we explain the emergence of different levels and shapes of support and commit- ment to the regime’s non-state allies? 2) Do prevalent international norms of state sovereign- ty or retaliatory capacities explain the opaqueness of state-sponsorship of terrorism? Overall, we find strong support for the hypothesis that both domestic and foreign “threat dilemmas” drive a state’s recourse to alliances with terrorist groups.
    [Show full text]