This research study argues that the Syrian crisis is not a civil war. This examination meticulously challenges the classification of the Syrian situation as a civil war, which is often described as a fight mostly within a country between organised parties seeking political control or independence. Chapter One critiques standard International Relations (IR) theories, arguing that their concentration on states is insufficient to understand Syria’s complex dynamics, which involve non-state actors and external forces. Syria’s history and economy are examined to understand the conflict’s causes. Chapter Two examines the development and prominence of non-state actors, who have triggered and intensified the conflict, enhanced by international engagement. Chapter Three covers three key state players who have shaped Syrian foreign policy and the conflict. Chapter Four concludes with a summary of the facts, highlighting the complexity of the Syrian war and the need for new approaches to end it. This paper proposes rethinking civil conflict as a multifaceted and global issue.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be a member of the University of Lincoln to be able to view this dissertation. Please log in here.