The Struggle of Major Powers Over Syria

Jamāl Wākīm's examination of great power competition in Syria offers a geopolitical analysis of one of the twenty-first century's most complex conflicts. The work situates the Syrian crisis within the broader framework of international relations, moving beyond simplified narratives to explore how major global and regional actors have pursued their strategic interests in the country. Wākīm, a Lebanese academic specializing in Middle Eastern affairs, brings a regional perspective to understanding the multilayered dimensions of external involvement in Syria's prolonged civil war.

The book traces the historical context that made Syria a focal point for competing powers. Syria's geographic position, bridging the Mediterranean and the broader Middle East, has long made it strategically significant. The author examines how this geographic reality, combined with Syria's alliances and its role in regional politics, attracted the attention of multiple state actors once internal unrest erupted in 2011. The transformation of what began as domestic protests into an internationalized conflict serves as the central concern of this analysis.

Wākīm dedicates substantial attention to Russia's involvement in Syria, examining Moscow's motivations for supporting the Assad government. The analysis explores Russia's Mediterranean naval facility at Tartus, its desire to maintain influence in the Middle East, and its opposition to Western-backed regime change. The Russian military intervention that began in 2015 marked a turning point in the conflict, and the book assesses how this involvement altered the balance of power on the ground. The author examines Russian strategic calculations and how the Syrian conflict became intertwined with Moscow's broader efforts to reassert itself as a global power.

The United States receives considerable scrutiny regarding its shifting objectives and policies in Syria. The work analyzes American support for various opposition groups, the campaign against the Islamic State, and the tensions between different policy goals. The complexity of American involvement, including the divergence between stated humanitarian concerns and strategic interests, forms a significant part of the narrative. Wākīm explores how successive American administrations approached the Syrian question differently, reflecting broader debates about intervention and Middle East policy.

Iran's role as a key supporter of the Syrian government receives detailed treatment. The book examines how Syria fits into Iranian regional strategy, particularly regarding the so-called Shi'a crescent and Tehran's connection to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The deployment of Iranian military advisers, support from Iranian-backed militias, and the economic assistance provided to Damascus are analyzed within the context of Iran's competition with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states for regional influence.

Turkey's complicated position in the conflict receives attention as well. The work explores how Turkey's initial support for opposition forces evolved, examining Ankara's concerns about Kurdish autonomy along its border and its subsequent military interventions in northern Syria. The shifting nature of Turkish priorities, from seeking Assad's removal to focusing on preventing Kurdish territorial consolidation, illustrates the dynamic nature of external involvement in the conflict.

The involvement of Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in supporting various opposition factions is examined through the lens of their rivalry with Iran and their vision for Syria's political future. The book analyzes how these states channeled resources to different groups and how their involvement reflected broader sectarian and political tensions in the region.

Israel's perspective and actions regarding Syria, particularly concerning Iranian presence near its borders and periodic military strikes, add another dimension to the analysis. The work explores how Israeli security concerns shaped its approach to the conflict even as it largely remained on the sidelines of the broader civil war.

Wākīm's analysis benefits from his familiarity with regional dynamics and Arabic-language sources. The book provides context often missing from Western accounts, particularly regarding how Arab and Middle Eastern actors perceived the conflict and their decision-making processes. This regional perspective enriches the overall understanding of the multiple chess games being played simultaneously on Syrian territory.

The work demonstrates how Syria became an arena where global and regional powers pursued competing visions for the Middle East's future. Rather than being solely about Syria itself, the conflict reflected broader tensions about international order, spheres of influence, and the balance of power. The book illustrates how local grievances became entangled with geopolitical competition, making resolution extraordinarily difficult.

For readers seeking to understand the international dimensions of the Syrian conflict, this work provides a framework for comprehending the motivations and actions of external powers. The analysis reveals how the intersection of local, regional, and global factors created a particularly intractable situation where multiple actors with contradictory objectives became deeply invested in the outcome.