Why Syria? A Concise, Broad Brush Analysis of the Overall Situation in and Around Syria

ISPSW Strategy Series: Focus on Defense and International Security, Issue No. 194, July 2012, 8 p.

Yossef Bodansky *

In the wake of the shooting down of a Turkish fighter jet by Syrian forces, this publication analyzes the geopolitical environment with regard to the Syrian civil war. The author argues that the war in Syria is increasingly being used to further the grand-strategic interests of aspirant regional powers at the expense of Syrians. In the aftermath of the electoral victory of Islamists in Egypt, an alliance between Egypt, Iran and Turkey has emerged, with the expressed intention of taking care of « all Muslim and Arab states. » The author also highlights the discrepancy between the approaches taken by European powers and that of the US. While European powers are committed to the principle of « transformation of power », the US favors « regime change » in Syria.

* Yossef Bodansky has been the Director of Research at the International Strategic Studies Association [ISSA], as well as a Senior Editor for the Defense & Foreign Affairs group of publications, since 1983.

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