Political Science Research Paper: Syrian Crisis, Assad Backgrounder

This report provides an analysis of the political crisis in Syria, focusing on the actions and strategies of political actor Bashar al-Assad. It examines the crisis through the lenses of three schools of International Relations: Realism, Institutionalism, and Liberalism. The paper identifies the threats to potential allies and the willingness of allies to bring stability and peace to the country. It proposes that Assad should seek support from the US government and improve conventional abilities to minimize the influence of potential adversaries. The report also examines the challenges faced by Syria and the need for measures to predict the behavior of potential allies to avoid further crisis. The report concludes by highlighting the diverse challenges faced by Syria in the 21st century and the need for Assad to take various measures in order to predict the behavior and the willingness of the potential allies in order to avoid the crisis and bring the stability in Syria. The report also includes references to relevant sources for further study.

Running Head: RESEARCH PAPER
political scienCe
ASSAD BACKGROUNDER
STUDENT NAME:

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Introduction
It has been observed that the political crisis in Syria is one of the deadliest issues which was
witnessed in the 21st century. The political actor Assad took all the decisions for the benefit of
the citizens. He only wanted to protect the country from any type of invasion. Further, he stated
that the jihadists cannot be used in order to show the political power as it shows immorality. His
only aim is to bring stability in the country by eradicating and destruction on the regular basis.
The country is getting support from the various countries like Turkey, US, Qatar, etc. despite this
support Syria is facing various challenges which are becoming a problem for Assad to bring the
stability.
Three schools of IR for addressing the crisis
 Realism- In the system of anarchic, power of the state is the key element because due to
the power only the state can defend the operations and the activities of Syria and further
attempt to survive.
 Institutionalism- Syria is being interested in self, and the actors of rationalization seeks
to survive by maximizing the materialistic conditions which pervade the relationships
among the various countries ("Princeton University - Home," 2017).
 Liberalism- The domestic characteristics of Syria matter for the international
relationships, and it further determines to bring the peace and stability democratically.
Strategy and objectives to obtain
 To identify the threats to potential allies which are not predictable as it was done in the
past (Williams, P. R., Ulbrick, J. T., & Worboys, J. 2012).
 To identify the willingness of the allies in order to analyze the risks to further bring the
stability and peace in the country.
Potential allies
The elements of the armed opposition as the recipients of the assistance of military is challenging
and complicated which are further being treated as the potential allies for the Syria. Moreover,
the actors in the rebellion are presently contesting the essential areas of Syria ("President Bashar
al-Assad Interview: "It's our Right to Defend our Country against any Kind of Invasion", 2017).

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Further, these potential allies create an issue for the other priorities of Syria as the various other
countries feel more confident as they have a part of leverage over the Syria.
Ideas to solve the crisis
Assad should take the support from the government of the US as they are more comfortable
while dealing with the liberal and the secular activists of Syria. Further, the US should commit to
minorities respect and the pluralism which will support Assad to bring the stability in the country
("How to Vet Potential Allies in Syria," 2017). Moreover, in order to be cooperative, Assad is
patiently watching the moves of Trump and analyzing that what the administration of Trump will
do which is not favorable to the political actor.
Minimizing the influence of potential adversary
Syria should improve the conventional abilities in order to minimize the influence of the
potential adversary, and the country should continue to demonstrate the commitment towards
their own allies through the deployment of the forces of the convention ("Al Jazeera: Live News |
Bold Perspectives | Exclusive Films," 2017).
Conclusion
It has been observed that the 21st century has brought the various and diverse challenges for Syria
which are further questioning the posture and the policy of the security. Assad has to take
various measures in order to predict the behavior and the willingness of the potential allies in
order to avoid the crisis and bring the stability in Syria.

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REFERENCES
Al Jazeera: Live News | Bold Perspectives | Exclusive Films. (2017). Aljazeera.com. Retrieved
16 March 2017, from http://www.aljazeera.com
How to Vet Potential Allies in Syria. (2017). Washingtoninstitute.org. Retrieved 16 March 2017,
from http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/how-to-vet-potential-allies-in-
syria
President Bashar al-Assad Interview: "It's our Right to Defend our Country against any Kind of
Invasion." (2017). Global Research. Retrieved 16 March 2017, from
http://www.globalresearch.ca/president-bashar-al-assad-interview-its-our-right-to-defend-our-
country-against-any-kind-of-invasion/5557209
Princeton University - Home. (2017). Princeton.edu. Retrieved 15 March 2017, from
https://www.princeton.edu
Williams, P. R., Ulbrick, J. T., & Worboys, J. (2012). Preventing mass atrocity crimes: The
responsibility to protect and the Syria crisis.