One of the most striking developments in the modern Middle East was the transformation of Syria under Hafez al-Assad from a weak, vulnerable and internally divided state to a leading regional power. Based on a carefully selected collection of original articles, this volume focuses on the elements of Syrias power, on Syrias relations with each of its neighbours as well as on Syrias relations with the superpowers. In the final analysis, conclude the editors, Syrian policies appear paradoxical. Its conduct ever since the advent of Hafez al-Assad exhibits subtle and hard-nosed pragmatism. Yet, in order to consolidate the domestic legitimacy of the Alawi Baathist regime, Syria has been impelled to articulate its foreign policy goals in the far-flung rhetoric of the Baathist ideology. As a result Syria is widely perceived of as a menace and, treated as such, it often responds in kind.
