Legitimacy and Hafez al-Asad
Loading...
Authors
Huber, Mark M.
Subjects
Hafez al-Asad
Syria
Israel
Baath Party: Pan-Arabism
Palestinians
1973 War
Golan Heights
Muslim Brethern
Lebanon
Gulf Crisis
Syria
Israel
Baath Party: Pan-Arabism
Palestinians
1973 War
Golan Heights
Muslim Brethern
Lebanon
Gulf Crisis
Advisors
Robinson, Glenn E.
Date of Issue
1992-06
Date
June 1992
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
It has, been taken for granted that Hafez al-Asad relies exclusively upon an iron fist to perpetuate the survival of his regime. Close scrutiny of Asad's presidency, however, betrays the inadequacy of this explanation. In fact, Syria's conflict with Israel is the primary legitimizing agent for Asad's minority-Alawi regime, and it is because of this conflict that Asad's regime has endured. Consequently, the absence of a militant confrontation with Israel poses risks which the present Syrian leadership has been unwilling to assume. Furthermore, this condition acts as a restraint upon certain types of foreign policy activities and initiatives which Asad might otherwise elect to pursue. The reality of Israel's legitimizing function has specific relevance to U.S. foreign policy vis-a-vis both Syria and Israel, particularly regarding the peace process.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
122 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.