With Syria in the news as of the events from 2011, I thought to bring more clarity to my understanding of the conflict, I would find a way to formulate opinions based on a historical context to find a deeper understanding. This casual video explains the prior conflict quite efficiently and is a great video to watch if you want more information than just this horrifically brief summary of my research of the history of Syria.
Syria, from its origins in 10,000 BCE had been a thriving civilization with its developments of agriculture and revolutionary domestication of animals such as cattle breeding. Isn't it shocking to know every hamburger you've ever eaten has been traced back to a place of such controversy in our age? If you have ever played the board game Risk, you know Syria is a sucker’s bet to defend as for centuries, and over time, some of the world’s greatest conquerors like Alexander the Great and Pompey took over Syria for its ideal location with water borders for trade and commerce. Syria was also used a land trade route that connected the Mediterranean world with the Middle East and parts of Asia, The first hints of today’s conflicts occurred in 640 AD when the Rashidun army took Syria for the Islamic empire. When the Rashiduns collapsed due to power abuse, more Islamic groups fought and conquered. Soon enough after advancements in sea navigation, Syria’s use as a land trade route began to fade into obscurity until the era of the World Wars when the French took over the Syrian territories. Syria gained independence in 1941. It went on to fight in the Arab-Israeli war against the newly formed Israel, but when the Syrians lost, a huge military coup occurred. It went from outside forces overthrowing Syria to a multitude of inside forces from coup after coup which each overthrowing power having new ideas on how to strictly maintain power until the Baath party of the early 1960s. The current president Bashar Al-Assad was thought to bring change to Syria, a region long filled with aging dictators. He was well educated, and many believed he would be capable of transforming his father's dictatorship into a modern state. He has failed in this notion as he is a great oppressor to his people. In March 2011, civil war took place in Syria. He has responded the protest and violence with the use of his force.
What I have noticed about Syria over time in my research is that although world altering events such as the Crusades, for example, were occurring, Syria maintained the same purpose and even until today some of the issues of the past are still relevant. Islamic groups, for example, for good or bad could always find their way into the land to conquer it for its unique properties and vulnerabilities. Its location in particular makes it easy to topple with few natural borders, a major sea border, and a neighbor of feuding Iraq which easily spreads its influence to the region. ISIS for example has found its way into Syria due to the civil war of internal conflict. This group has taken advantage of the weaknesses of Syria and picked a perfect time to attack. I honestly believe that the Syrians do not know anything better to solve their problems then force as their past president, Hafez al-Assad was quoted saying, "We shall never call for, nor accept peace. We shall only accept war and the restoration of the usurped land. We have resolved to drench this land with our blood, to oust you, aggressors, and throw you into the sea for good." With the history of fighting in this area it just seems common for these events to be occurring one after another in addition to the civil war. When the US became involved it became a bigger issue to the average American person, which shows that these things happen all the time, yet they slip past our minds unless they threaten or benefit ourselves. Syrians have been fighting for almost their entire existence against internal and external forces, but this terrorist threat from ISIS should be taken very seriously as should the other conflicts because they put millions of innocent lives in danger.
Perhaps in the future I could continue to discuss the history of Syria more because it is rich and fascinating and connect that with the notions of present day. For now, we have new developments each day to watch and see how this situation will be handled and reacted to by the world.
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