Luc Descour Period 7

Map of Syria  Middle Eastern country bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Mediterranean Sea TurkeyIraqJordan Israel

Leaders  Revolutionaries are attempting to overthrow current Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad  Why?  influenced by other protests in the region  calling for political reforms and the reinstatement of civil rights  Uprising triggered when 15 children were arrested and mistreated in Deraa for writing anti-government graffiti

Country Description  The population of Syria is 74% Sunni Muslim, with a 13% Shia Muslim population, 10% Christian and 3% Druze. Combined, some 90% of the Syrian population is Muslim  Population: 22,457,763  Government: Dominant-party system  Capital: Damascus

Revolutionary Demographics  Initially mix of activists and jurists, writers, journalists, young academics and family members to people detained in Syrian prisons  Mostly very young males (teens-30s)

How are they protesting?  Flash mobs- all over capital of Damascus 1. No longer than 10 minutes 2. Organized over social networks  One case of self-immolation reported

Similarities to American Revolution  Citizens want to remove oppressive and power hungry government in favor of democracy  Involves the support of other countries (America ~ France) (Syria ~ US)  People have reacted with protests and rioting

Differences to American Revolution  Use of online social networking for protests  Revolution for change of government, not for independence  Taking place within the country

Where is Syria headed?  I believe Syria is on the road to achieving a reformed, more democratic government. President Al- Assad has shown initiative to change by firing his entire cabinet. With the wave of successes from other countries in the Arab Spring, I anticipate Syrian revolutionaries achieving success as well; if not from Al-Assad’s resignation, then by force.

Works Cited Page  Rania Abouzeid “Dissent in Damascus’ Shadows:Driving Around Syria’s Capital” Time Magazine. Aug. 12, October  Rania Abouzeid “Syrian Military Attacks Protesters in Hama” Time Magazine. Aug. 01, October  Paul Knott “ Forget Egypt And Libya, Syria Is The Really Scary One ” Sabotage Times 26 October  N/A/ “Syria: Has the Regime Turned a Corner Against the Protests?” Time Magazine. May 18, October 