The Place and Role of Syria in Arab-Israeli Conflict 1946-2000

Due to its favorable geographical position Syria is one of the most significant political and cultural centers in the Arab as well as Islamic world. It is here that a variety of political ideas and movements were given birth to
and brought to life. They have greatly influenced the process of political, economic and cultural development in the Arab world. Being part and parcel of Arab “umma” (motherland), Syria has, undoubtedly been playing a key strategic role in the Arab-Israeli conflict as well as in establishing peace in the Middle East. For more than half a century,
lying in the epicenter of the unyielding struggle in the region, Syria has actively been participating in all the phases of the most long-lasting international conflict. It is quite natural that one of the most prominent Armenian scholars, Doctor of Historical Sciences Rouben Karapetian had devoted a special monographic study. Dr. Karapetian had put over his shoulders heavy burden of scientifically presenting for the first time the position of Syria towards the
Arab-Israeli conflict which covers the long period from 1946, when the independent state of Syria appeared on the world map, up to 2000 when the reign of Syria’s President Hafez Assad was over.

Sommario:

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 – SYRIA AND THE ORIGINS OF ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
Syrian Nationalism and Zionist Ideology in the Mandate Period 1920-1949
Ottomanism Period
Period of Arabism
French Mandate for Syria
Creation of the State of Israel and the Newly-Independent Syria towards Palestine Problem

CHAPTER 2 – SYRIA IN THE VORTEX OF ARAB-ISRAELI WARS (1948-1967)
Syria’s Participation in the First Arab-Israeli War and Its Consequences
Beginning of the Cold War in the Region
Unification of Syria and Egypt, Formation of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961)
Struggle against Israel and Zionism in the New Ba’ath Administration’s Ideology
The “Six-Day” Arab-Israeli War and Its Consequences for Syria

CHAPTER 3 – SYRIA’S MIDDLE EASTERN POLICY ON THE WARP OF USA – USSR GLOBAL CONFRONTATION (1967-1978)
Damascus and the Palestine Liberation Organization
Jordan Crisis of 1970 and Power Shift in Syria
Hafez al-Assad’s Standpoint Towards Arab-Israeli Conflict
Syria’s Participation in the “October” War in 1973
Damascus’ Place in H. Kissinger’s “Step-by-Step” Policy
Civil War in Lebanon
Syria and the Signing of Camp David Agreement

CHAPTER 4 – SYRIA’S REGIONAL POLICY AFTER CAMP DAVID
Israel’s Invasion of Lebanon in 1982
Taif Agreement and the Establishment of Pax Syriana in Lebanon
Problems of Terrorism, Drug Trade and Human Rights in US-Syrian Relations

CHAPTER 5 – SYRIA AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE PEACE PROCESS (1991-2000)
Syria’s Participation in the Gulf War
Madrid Peace Conference – Beginning of an Unfinished Way
Syria and Peacemaking Process
The Last Attempt to Establish Peace between Syria and Israel
The End of Hafez al-Assad’s Era: Syria Facing New Internal and External Challenges

AFTERWORD

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Archives – Official documents – Press releases – Enciclopedias
Monographs – Articles
Mass media
Used Internet Sources