The Syrian Crisis Effects on the Regional and International Relations

Description

This book analyzes the impact and relevance of the Syrian crisis on regional and international relations. Developing into a proxy war, the Syrian crisis has been a battleground for regional dominance. It has also created an opportunity for new states to emerge on the world affairs scene. Russia, for instance, had been keeping a low profile since the fall of the Soviet Union, but took a leading role in the Syrian crisis reasserting itself against the West regionally. The Syrian crisis has also been a catalyst in reshaping many interstate relations and allowing countries such as Russia, Iran, Turkey and China to play an increasingly important geopolitical role. There have been many international ramifications to the Syrian crisis. While the crisis led to an Iranian-Russian rapprochement, it was also a catalyst to more cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia; more importantly, it also forced states with opposing views about the crisis -- Turkey, Iran and Russia -- to forge an alliance. Further, the crisis created tensions between the US and Turkey with China on the one hand balancing its interests between the Gulf and Iran whilst focusing on its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative and trying on the other hand to contain Islamic militancy in Syria. The book looks at issues that are usually ignored when discussing Syria such as the strategic control over its hydrocarbon resources, as well as the power of propaganda in portraying realities. It features the use of non-state actors by regional competing powers and the role of local councils in stabilizing the country. The edited volume brings together contributions by authors with different backgrounds who present conflicting views reflecting the divergence between the various stakeholders about the Syrian crisis. Acknowledgements Contents 1 Introduction Content Divergent Threat Perceptions of the Syrian Crisis Effect of the Syrian Crisis on Interstate Relations Emerging Tools, Actors and Structures 2 US–Turkish Relations in the Light of the Syrian Crisis (2011–2019) Introduction Pre-Erdogan Policy in the Arab World Erdogan and Engagement with the Arab World Turkey–Syria Relations Syrian Regime and the Kurds Turkey and the Kurds Turkey Response to the Syrian Crisis US Response to the Syrian Crisis Trump’s Policy Towards Syria Withdrawal from Syria US Relations with Turkey Trump’s Relations with Erdogan Turkey’s Incursion into Syria Future Relations and the Way Forward Conclusion 3 The Apparent Chinese Paradox Introduction How It All Started ‘Non-interference’ and Support for the Government! Foreign Policy Based on the Choice of a Society Project Misleading ‘Depoliticization’ The Internal Debate: Will China Change Its Choices? Between Support and Wariness Seen from Beijing Uyghur Jihadists in Syria Turkish Support for Uyghur Militancy China’s Concerns About Uyghur Militancy Fighting TIP An International Conflict of Foreign Interests Conclusion 4 The Wedge Strategy: How Saudi Arabia is Attempting to Influence the Syrian Conflict Introduction Wedge Strategy as a Viable Policy Syria’s Strategic Importance Riyadh’s Shifting Policies Geostrategic Developments Conclusion 5 Iran and ‘Exporting’ the Revolution: The Syrian Case Iranian Expansionism The Roots of the Assad-Iran Alliance Iran’s Involvement in Syria Iran's Growing Prowess is Syria Iran and Sectarian Politics Iran’s Loss of Soft Power Conclusion 6 Iranian–Russian Rapprochement and Its Impact on Regional Security Introduction History of the Iranian–Russian Rapprochement Regional and International Environments in Which Iran and Russia Interact Areas of Agreement and Disagreement on the Syrian Issue The Impact of Russian–Iranian Rapprochement on Regional Security The Impact of Russian–Iranian Relations on Egypt’s Foreign Policy The Impact of Russian–Iranian Relations on Turkey’s Regional Policy Gulf Countries’ Relations with Russia Conclusion 7 Saudi Arabia and Russia in the Syrian Crisis: Divergent Policies, Similar Concerns Introduction Syrian Crisis from Russian and GCC Lenses Historical Perspective of Saudi–Russian Relations Rational Actor Model Russia and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policies in the Syrian Case Contributing and Conflicting Factors in the Relationship Conclusion 8 ASTANA: The Rise of a New Alliance and Its Implications for International Relations Introduction Threat Dimensions Russia, Turkey and Iran’s Interests in Syria Russia Turkey Iran The Common Denominator—Threat from the United States Threat Perceptions of the Gulf States, the US and Europe Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates Unites States Europe Astana–Geneva Rivalry: Common Versus Divided Threat Perceptions Conclusion 9 The Effects of the Syrian Crisis on China’s BRI Approach in the Middle East Introduction Chinese Strategy and Involvement in the Middle East Area Involvement in Syria and Cooperation with the Gulf States, Iran and the Levant Area Syria Relations with the GCC Countries and the Levant Area Relations with Iran Conclusion 10 Syria and Hydrocarbons: Present and Prospective Politico-Economic Issues Introduction Can SDF Secure Some Power Over Syrian Oil with US or Russian Support? Russian Interests in Syrian Hydrocarbons Iranian Programs for Syrian Infrastructure and the Hydrocarbon Sector Some Issues with a Regional Infrastructural Hub: Back to the Future? An Alarming Note in Place of the Conclusion 11 Syria—The Use of Violent Non State Actors as a Tool of Regional Policy Introduction The Challenge of a Definition Consequences of the Arab Spring Syria: State Versus Non-state The Arab Gulf and Syria Iran Conclusion 12 Russian Propaganda in the Context of the Syrian Crisis Introduction Sowing the Seeds of Doubt The White Helmets The Righteous Versus the West Beyond ‘What’ The Architecture of Propaganda The Impact of Propaganda Conclusion 13 Decentralization as an Entry Point to Peacebuilding in Syria Introduction Features and Patterns of Local Governance in Syria Conceptual Notes on Local Governance in Post-conflict Syria Position of International and Regional Actors Conclusion: The Way Forward for a Power-Sharing Agreement Index