Syria Brief MIDN 1/C Stepanic MIDN 1/C Williams

Map of Syria

History Syria has been a country of conflict. Syria has been a country of conflict. Syria has been under the rule of many ancient empires. Syria has been under the rule of many ancient empires. Rome, Persia, Egypt, and BabylonRome, Persia, Egypt, and Babylon Came under Turkish rule in 1516 and remained under their control for four centuries. Came under Turkish rule in 1516 and remained under their control for four centuries. Came under French occupation in Came under French occupation in Finally gained independence in Finally gained independence in 1946.

History Continued The country lacked political stability and experienced military coups. The country lacked political stability and experienced military coups. They united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. They united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961 they separated and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In September 1961 they separated and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. President al-ASAD died in July 2000, his son, Bashar al-ASAD took power. President al-ASAD died in July 2000, his son, Bashar al-ASAD took power.

Hafez al-Assad

Bashar al-Assad

Demographics Full country name: Syrian Arab Republic Full country name: Syrian Arab Republic Area: 185,180 sq km (72,150 sq mi) Area: 185,180 sq km (72,150 sq mi) Slightly larger than North DakotaSlightly larger than North Dakota Population: 17 million Population: 17 million Capital city: Damascus (pop 6 million) Capital city: Damascus (pop 6 million)

Demographics Terrain: Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateauprimarily semiarid and desert plateau Narrow coastal plainNarrow coastal plain Mountains in westMountains in west

Demographics People: Arabs (90%), Kurds, Armenians, Circassians, Turks People: Arabs (90%), Kurds, Armenians, Circassians, Turks Language: Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian, Turkish, English Language: Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian, Turkish, English Religion: 74% Sunni Muslim, 16% other Muslim, 10% Christian Religion: 74% Sunni Muslim, 16% other Muslim, 10% Christian

Demographics Government: Military republic Government: Military republic President: Bashar al-Assad President: Bashar al-Assad

Economy GDP: $63.86 billion (2005 est.) GDP: $63.86 billion (2005 est.) Industry: Industry: PetroleumPetroleum TextilesTextiles food processingfood processing BeveragesBeverages TobaccoTobacco phosphate rock miningphosphate rock mining Currency: Syrian pound Currency: Syrian pound 48.5 Syrian pound = $1 US (2004)48.5 Syrian pound = $1 US (2004)

Military Syrian Arab Army Syrian Arab Army Syrian Arab Navy Syrian Arab Navy Syrian Arab Air Force Syrian Arab Air Force Police and Security Force Police and Security Force Conscription force Conscription force 24 months upon reaching age 1824 months upon reaching age 18 Active troops: 319,000 Active troops: 319,000 Infantry Support Weapons: 2,750Infantry Support Weapons: 2,750 Battlefield squad support weapons such as mortarsBattlefield squad support weapons such as mortars

Military Units Airborne Units: 1,070 Airborne Units: 1,070 Armor: 9,650 Armor: 9,650 Main Battle Tanks: 4,700 (2004 est.)Main Battle Tanks: 4,700 (2004 est.) Artillery: 4,745 Artillery: 4,745 Missile Defense Systems: 11,233 Missile Defense Systems: 11,233 Portable and static surface-to-air missile launcher systemsPortable and static surface-to-air missile launcher systems

Military Development Concentrated on development of Sarin and VX gas Concentrated on development of Sarin and VX gas Advanced surface-to-surface missiles Advanced surface-to-surface missiles Primary enemy: Israel Primary enemy: Israel Scud-D development with North Korea and Iran Scud-D development with North Korea and Iran Developing defensive weapons Developing defensive weapons

Syrian Arab Navy 4,000 regular/2,500 reserve 4,000 regular/2,500 reserve 2-3 Soviet submarines 2-3 Soviet submarines 22 missile attack craft 22 missile attack craft 2 submarine chasers 2 submarine chasers 4 mine warfare vessels 4 mine warfare vessels 8 gunboats 8 gunboats 6 patrol craft 6 patrol craft 3 landing craft 3 landing craft 1 torpedo recovery vessel 1 torpedo recovery vessel Information as of 1985

Politics Political effectiveness of leadership depends heavily on control of military and internal security. Political effectiveness of leadership depends heavily on control of military and internal security. Political energy has been channeled toward opposition to the government in power and criticism of other political forces. Political energy has been channeled toward opposition to the government in power and criticism of other political forces. Individuals interested in politics are limited in expressing their opinion. Individuals interested in politics are limited in expressing their opinion. Most direct means include: strikes, demonstrations, personal conflicts with politicians, and even violence and assassination.Most direct means include: strikes, demonstrations, personal conflicts with politicians, and even violence and assassination. Limitations due to unorganized political parties. Limitations due to unorganized political parties. Citizens question effectiveness of party activity as a means to political ends and personal advancement. Citizens question effectiveness of party activity as a means to political ends and personal advancement.

Six-Day War: June 5, 1967 Israel vs. Egypt, Jordon, and Syria. Israel vs. Egypt, Jordon, and Syria. This war escalated the problems in the Middle-East. This war escalated the problems in the Middle-East. Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Egypt to start the war. Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Egypt to start the war. Israel gained the Sinai and Gaza Strip from Egypt, East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel gained the Sinai and Gaza Strip from Egypt, East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Yom Kippur War: 1973 Surprise joint attack of Egypt and Syria against Israel on October 26, Surprise joint attack of Egypt and Syria against Israel on October 26, Both Nations wanted to gain back what they lost in the Six-Day War. Both Nations wanted to gain back what they lost in the Six-Day War. Successful push for about 48 hours, then Israel crushed them. Successful push for about 48 hours, then Israel crushed them. Completed humiliated the alliance and allowed a push for peace. Completed humiliated the alliance and allowed a push for peace.

Lebanon Occupation Lebanese president invited Syria in 1976 after a bloody civil war Lebanese president invited Syria in 1976 after a bloody civil war Entered country 1 June 1976 Entered country 1 June 1976 Suppressed Palestinian forces and Soviet-backed Muslim militiaSuppressed Palestinian forces and Soviet-backed Muslim militia Resistance to Israeli occupation Resistance to Israeli occupation

Lebanon Occupation ~14,000 Syrian troops occupied Lebanon ~14,000 Syrian troops occupied Lebanon Syria exerted control over government Syria exerted control over government economical and security interests in regioneconomical and security interests in region Syria left Lebanon 27 April 2005 Syria left Lebanon 27 April 2005

US Interest Syria participates in terrorism and its part of their foreign policy. Syria participates in terrorism and its part of their foreign policy. Syria is on the US State Department's list of countries sponsoring terrorism. Syria is on the US State Department's list of countries sponsoring terrorism. Syria provides safe haven and support to several terrorist groups.Syria provides safe haven and support to several terrorist groups. Maintains training camps.Maintains training camps. Examples: Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and George Habash's Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) are supposedly housed in Damascus.Examples: Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and George Habash's Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) are supposedly housed in Damascus.

US Interest continued.. Weapons of mass destruction has become an issue in Syrian - U.S. relations, with Syria developing chemical weapons. Weapons of mass destruction has become an issue in Syrian - U.S. relations, with Syria developing chemical weapons. Spurred by the Israel’s nuclear weapons.Spurred by the Israel’s nuclear weapons. Iraq: Bashar al-Assad believes that the War in Iraq is an American plan to redraw the Middle East in favor of Israel Iraq: Bashar al-Assad believes that the War in Iraq is an American plan to redraw the Middle East in favor of Israel Syrian media has been focused on vicious anti-American propaganda Syrian media has been focused on vicious anti-American propaganda

Travel Agency Quote The Syrian government may not be among the world's most benevolent, but the Syrian people are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality. Once you get used to the general weirdness of being in another culture, you'll probably feel safer in Syria than you do at home as long as you avoid demonstrations and political gatherings. The Syrian government may not be among the world's most benevolent, but the Syrian people are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality. Once you get used to the general weirdness of being in another culture, you'll probably feel safer in Syria than you do at home as long as you avoid demonstrations and political gatherings.

Roman Palmyra

Azem Palace

References