A HISTORICAL-POLITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR (2011-2017), ITS CONSEQUENCES AND ITS POSSIBLE STABILIZATION

Abstract

This article highlights that Syria was not at the forefront of Middle East politics as it is today, but different events in the history of the region brought Syria to such key position. Presently, it has become a geopolitical front for the players involved - a geopolitical front for the Kurdish’ status in the countries with significant Kurdish minority; for the status of Iran-Gulf balance in the Middle East; and for the positions of the United States and Russia in the new Middle Eastern political configuration. These factors have complicated the political settlement and the military solution. They have also regionalized and internationalized the civil war, because the current internal fractures of the Syrian situation stand between the Sunni and Shia sects, Iran and Gulf, the US’ coalition and the Russian-aligned states. The political-military target of each of the players has been about territorial gains on the ground and denying such gains to the other side. Nevertheless, despite the high level of violence, both the regime and the opposition forces agree to address the Syrian political settlement in terms of national territorial integrity.