Actors and Dynamics in the Syrian Conflict's Middle Phase: Between Contentious Politics, Militarization and Regime Resilience

This book covers the middle time period of the Syrian uprising, from 2012 to 2018, when the conflict turned into a frozen conflict. It explores the failed attempts at non-violent protest, violent insurrection, and regime counter-insurgency, leading to protracted civil war. The book highlights the consequences of civil war, including failing statehood, rebel governance, polarized social forces, external actors, a predatory war economy, and massive displacement. It offers an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the Syrian conflict.

Format: Hardback
Length: 436 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the pivotal and transformative era of the Syrian uprising, spanning approximately from 2012, when peaceful protests gradually transformed into a violent insurgency and civil war, until roughly 2018, when the conflict assumed characteristics of a frozen conflict. The middle period holds significant importance as one of the critical junctures or turning points, where the trajectory of the struggle could have taken vastly different directions. Initially, non-violent protest efforts aimed at bringing about democratization failed, giving rise to a violent insurrection. Similarly, the revolution from below and the regime's counter-insurgency strategies also proved unsuccessful, leading to the prolonged and devastating civil war as the default outcome.

Furthermore, the consequences of the civil war became increasingly evident through six distinct themes. Firstly, the coexistence of failing statehood alongside regime resilience became a prevailing reality. Secondly, the emergence of rebel governance posed a viable challenge to the authoritarian regime. Thirdly, social forces experienced profound polarization, further escalating tensions within the country. Fourthly, external actors played a role in exacerbating internal divisions, contributing to the complexity and intensity of the conflict. Fifthly, a predatory war economy emerged, characterized by economic exploitation and the depletion of resources. Lastly, the relentless violence resulted in the massive displacement of the population, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals.

In order to comprehensively understand this complex phenomenon, this book adopts an innovative and interdisciplinary approach. By drawing upon a wide range of sources and perspectives, it aims to provide a comprehensive account of the Syrian conflict. This book will be of immense interest to academics, students, journalists, and policy-makers who are actively engaged in studying the Syrian civil war. It offers valuable insights and analysis that will contribute to a deeper understanding of the ongoing challenges and complexities of the conflict.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032185026