Syrian War

Syrian Civil War Cause 1

Authoritarian rule under Assad, including political repression, corruption, and lack of freedoms.

Syrian Civil War Cause 2

Economic hardship, unemployment, drought, and inequality which increased public dissatisfaction.

Syrian Civil War Cause 3

Arab Spring protests in 2011 inspired Syrians to demand reform and democracy.

Syrian Civil War Cause 4

Assad’s violent crackdown on peaceful protesters escalated unrest into armed conflict.

Assad Government Perspectives

Believed maintaining Assad’s rule was essential, opposition threatened state stability, and force was justified to suppress dissent.

Assad Government Interests

Stay in power, suppress opposition, maintain territorial control, and preserve support from allies.

Assad Government Response 1

Used military crackdowns, including live fire on protesters and chemical weapons attacks.

Assad Government Response 2

Allied with Russia and Iran for military support and resources.

Assad Government Effective Response

Russian and Iranian support strengthened Assad militarily and helped him maintain power for years.

Assad Government Ineffective Response

Chemical weapons use violated international law, intensified global condemnation, and prolonged conflict.

UN Perspectives

Focused on peacekeeping, diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and enforcing international law.

UN Interests

Protect civilians, maintain international peace, and reduce violence through negotiation.

UN Response 1

Proposed sanctions and resolutions condemning Assad’s actions.

UN Response 2

Facilitated chemical weapons disarmament and delivered humanitarian aid.

UN Effective Response

Resolution 2118 helped remove declared chemical weapons stockpiles and humanitarian support saved lives.

UN Ineffective Response

Russian and Chinese vetoes blocked stronger intervention, allowing violence and chemical attacks to continue.

Russia Perspectives

Viewed Assad as Syria’s legitimate ruler, opposed Western intervention, and framed opposition as terrorism.

Russia Interests

Maintain Middle Eastern influence, secure military bases/ports, challenge US power, and restore global status.

Russia Response 1

Direct military intervention in 2015 through airstrikes and troop support.

Russia Response 2

Diplomatic protection of Assad through UN veto power.

Russia Effective Response

Prevented Assad’s immediate collapse and restored Russian influence globally.

Russia Ineffective Response

Prolonged war, increased civilian casualties, and worsened humanitarian suffering.

US Perspectives

Believed chemical weapons use required response but wanted to avoid another large-scale Middle East war.

US Interests

Counter terrorism, prevent extremist expansion, discourage chemical weapons, and maintain regional stability.

US Response 1

Sanctions on Syrian officials and calls for Assad to step down.

US Response 2

Airstrikes against ISIS and targeted missile strikes after chemical attacks.

US Effective Response

Helped weaken ISIS and signaled opposition to chemical weapons.

US Ineffective Response

Limited intervention failed to remove Assad or end the broader civil war.

Assad Government Downfall Reason 1

HTS and opposition forces improved military capabilities with cheap drones, missiles, and long-term strategic planning.

Assad Government Downfall Reason 2

Reduced Russian military support after the Ukraine invasion weakened Assad’s external defense.

Armed conflict

The use of armed forces between two or more organised parties, resulting in sustained violence. It usually occurs to achieve political or territorial goals.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself independently without external interference. It is a core principle of international relations that recognises a state’s control over its own territory and decisions.

Multilateralism

Cooperation between multiple countries to address international issues collectively. It is used to increase legitimacy and effectiveness by sharing responsibility among states and organisations.

Realism

A political theory prioritising state survival, national interest, and power in an anarchic international system. It assumes that states act mainly in their own self-interest rather than out of moral obligation.

Cosmopolitanism

The belief that all humans belong to a global community with shared moral responsibilities beyond borders. It emphasises universal human rights and the idea that ethical duties extend to all people.

Diplomacy

The management of international relations through negotiation, dialogue, and peaceful means. It is used by states to resolve conflicts, build alliances, and avoid war.

International law

A system of rules and agreements that govern relations between states and other international actors. It helps regulate behaviour in conflict, trade, and human rights on a global scale.

State terrorism

The use of violence or intimidation by a government against civilians to achieve political aims. It is often used to suppress opposition and maintain control through fear.

Non-state terrorism

Violence by groups or individuals not representing a state, used to create fear for political, ideological, or religious goals. It is typically aimed at civilians or symbolic targets to influence government actions.

2011 ARAB SPRING

Arab Spring protests begin in Syria, leading to widespread demonstrations against Assad’s government. The government responds with force, escalating unrest into civil war.

March 2011

Protests in Daraa mark the first major outbreak of anti-government unrest. The arrest and torture of teenagers helps trigger wider national demonstrations.

2012 CIVIAL WAR

The conflict escalates into a full-scale civil war across Syria, including major cities like Aleppo and Homs. Armed opposition groups begin forming and fighting the regime.

August 21, 2013

A chemical weapons attack in Ghouta kills hundreds of civilians. This triggers international outrage and increased pressure on the Assad regime.

2014 ISIS

ISIS declares a caliphate across parts of Syria and Iraq. The war becomes more complex with multiple actors involved.

September 2015 RUSSIA

Russia begins direct military intervention in support of Assad. This significantly strengthens the Syrian government’s military position.

2016 ALEPPO

The Battle of Aleppo ends with the Assad regime regaining control of the city. This is a major turning point in favour of the government.

2017 US

The US launches missile strikes on Syrian airbases after chemical weapons use. International involvement increases but Assad remains in power.

2019 ISIS

ISIS loses its final territorial stronghold in Syria. The group shifts from controlling territory to insurgent attacks.

2020 RUSIA TURKEY

Ceasefire agreements between Russia and Turkey reduce large-scale fighting in some regions. However, the conflict continues overall.

Nation

Is a collective term used to describe a group of people who share common cultural characteristics such as religion, language, ethnicity and a sense of historical identity. While some nations have recognised sovereignty over a state, many do not.

State

A legal term that refers to a central actor in global politics. States possess defined geographical areas, permanent populations, a government capable of effective rule and recognition of sovereignty from other states.

Nation-State

A political-social grouping in which people with territorial boundaries and recognised sovereignty. The population holds common bonds based on culture, language and history, for example, Japan.

Sovereignty

The legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. It also affords states the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (secessionist groups) or externally (one state invades another).

Power

The ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actors. Power can be exercised in a range of types and forms- political, economic, military, diplomatic and cultural.

Global governance

Refers to institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation and manage relations between states. Governance is carried out by both governmental organisations, such as the United Nations, and non-governmental organisations.

Multilateralism

This refers to a system of coordinating relations between three or more global actors. It is usually in pursuit of specific objectives.​ The United Nations promotes multilateralism between its 193 member states.

Globalisation

refers to the acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital which promote global interdependence. Integration has been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology.

Armed conflict

encompasses wars between states, violence between groups of people within states or terrorist attacks by states or non-state actors. The causes of armed conflicts may include contested sovereignty, territory or questions of cultural or political identity

Realism

involves states (and other global actors) prioritising their specific interest and needs over those of the global community. It involves states pursuing areas or policies that directly benefit them.

Cosmopolitanism

reflects a desire among global actors to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community. It is the belief that global problems require global solutions.

Diplomacy

The practice of managing international relations through negotiation, dialogue and compromise, rather than through force or conflict. This often takes the form of bilateral or multilateral talks.

International Law

is the body of legal rules, norms and standards that govern relations. It provides a framework for addressing issues across borders, including war, trade and human rights.