Research Article

An Assessment of The Turning Points In Modern Syrian History

Volume: 14 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

An Assessment of The Turning Points In Modern Syrian History

Abstract

Throughout its modern history, Syria has struggled to achieve socio-political stability due to a combination of internal and external dynamics. The collapse of the classical Ottoman order, the establishment of the French Mandate after the First World War, the failure of the liberal democratic system after independence, subsequent waves of military coups, and the rule of the Assad regime constitute the main turning points of instability in Syrian history. Syria's multi-ethnic society is deeply divided along religious, ethnic, and sectarian fault lines, creating fertile ground for socio-political fractures. Alongside imperialist designs targeting Syria, regional dynamics have further distanced the country from national unity, exacerbating the erosion of its internal structure. Thus, Syria's modern history has also been characterised by political polarisation and social conflict, primarily driven by military coups and various forms of political violence. This study examines modern Syrian history through its key turning points, spanning the period from the second half of the nineteenth century, when the effects of modernization were more keenly felt in the region, to the Syrian civil war that began in 2011. It attempts to demonstrate the internal and external dynamics of ruptures in Syrian history.

Keywords

References

  1. Al-Qazazz, A. (1967). Military regimes and political stability in Egypt, Iraq and Syria. Berkeley Journal of Sociology, 12, 44–54.
  2. Arı, T. (2014). Middle East: Politics, War, and Diplomacy from the Past to the Present. Bursa: Dora Publishing.
  3. Ataman, M. (2012). Power struggle in Syria: The Baʿath regime, social demands and the international community. SETA Report, No. 6, 1–58.
  4. Babikian, N. S. (1980). Michel ‘Aflaq: A biographic outline. Arab Studies Quarterly, 2(2), 162–179.
  5. Cleveland, W. L. (2008). A History of the Modern Middle East. (Trans. Mehmet Harmancı). Istanbul: Agora Publishing.
  6. Cumhuriyet. (31 March 1949). “Government coup in Syria.”
  7. Cumhuriyet. (15 August 1949). “A new government coup in Syria.”
  8. Cumhuriyet. (26 February 1954). “A new revolution broke out in Syria.”

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Middle East Studies

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 30, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 27, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 1

APA
Öztürkci, A. (2026). An Assessment of The Turning Points In Modern Syrian History. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 14(1), 682-710. https://doi.org/10.18506/anemon.1851914