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
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Middle East Studies
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
April 30, 2026
Submission Date
December 30, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 27, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 1